Diabetes and Hunger: Causes and Treatment

Use this article to learn how diabetes can impact hunger, the importance of recognizing blood sugar changes, and strategies to control hunger while keeping diabetes in check.

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Hunger and Hyperglycemia

Hunger and Hypoglycemia

CGMs and Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels

Curbing Hunger with Diabetes

Take a Nutrition Class with Aeroflow Diabetes

Get CGMs Through Insurance

Eating food increases blood sugar levels, and in those without diabetes, this triggers the pancreas to produce insulin. Insulin helps the cells in the body use that blood sugar for energy or store it away for later. In people with diabetes, the pancreas may make too little insulin alongside insulin resistance or may not make any insulin at all.This means that when you eat, your blood sugar levels go up, but the insulin produced by the pancreas is not sufficient to help allow your cells to access the blood sugar as fuel for your body. Glucose builds up in the blood, but since your cells can’t access it, your body still feels hungry. Having high blood glucose levels is a condition called hyperglycemia.

With hyperglycemia, simply eating more may not help to curb your hunger pangs and can continue to drive your blood glucose levels higher. This in turn leads to an even stronger feeling of hunger.

For people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, it’s important to learn the symptoms of hyperglycemia and how it can be prevented. Managing stress and eating a healthy diet with the right kinds of carbohydrates can help keep high blood sugar levels at bay. Diabetes medications may be recommended for people with type 2 diabetes, and insulin is needed to control high blood glucose for those with type 1 diabetes. A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) may also be a helpful tool to continuously monitor blood glucose levels in real-time.

Excess hunger can also be caused by abnormally low blood sugar levels, a condition called hypoglycemia. According to the American Diabetes Association, blood sugar is typically considered low at less than 70mg/dL.

For people with diabetes, skipping a meal can lower blood sugar levels to well below the target range. Other causes could be excessive exercise, taking too much insulin, or eating highly refined carbs, which can cause the blood sugar levels to spike and then fall quickly.

Unlike hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia can often be treated by eating fast-acting carbohydrates. It can take some practice to learn which foods are best to eat to raise your blood sugar to a safe level without overeating.

It’s also important to work with your healthcare team to avoid hypoglycemic events in the future. Your primary care provider or endocrinologist can determine your target blood sugar ranges. A dietitian can help adjust your meal plan to give you better blood sugar control.

If you experience excessive hunger, it’s critical to check your blood sugar levels so that you know if you are dealing with hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Thankfully, diabetes technology has advanced, and you can now use painless CGMs to receive accurate glucose data.

CGMs are wearable devices that monitor your blood glucose levels painlessly, and in real-time. Diabetes management can sometimes be tedious, but glucose monitoring is the most crucial aspect of diabetes care. With a CGM, you can instantly know when to administer the proper treatment to either raise or lower your blood sugar safely. Find out if you qualify for your own CGM by filling out our quick Eligibility Form.

We can all experience cravings from time to time, diabetes or not. Food cravings tend to emerge suddenly, and can sometimes be curbed by something as simple as a temporary distraction. They are different from true hunger in that they are typically focused on a specific type of food.

It may be that we see a sweet treat that reminds us of a positive experience or place. Or it may be a habit to indulge in comfort food after a stressful event to calm the nerves. For people with diabetes or those on restrictive diets, it may be that they aren’t allowing themselves enough of the foods they enjoy in their daily meal plan.

Whatever the cause, food cravings can lead to overeating and eventually weight gain, which can make diabetes harder to control. It’s important to speak with a certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES) or dietitian to develop a meal plan that works to control blood sugar levels without being too restrictive. If you have diabetes and feel an intense food craving coming on, it’s a good idea to check your blood sugar to see if you are experiencing high or low blood sugar.

Eating a balanced breakfast is crucial when you’re managing diabetes. A breakfast that is rich in protein and fiber with a low to moderate amount of carbohydrates and healthy fats is the goal. This will help set a good foundation for healthy blood sugar levels throughout the day. Steer clear of highly refined carbohydrates like cereals and baked goods, which can cause a quick spike in blood sugar followed by a crash.

Part of the way we are satisfied when we eat has to do with how the food looks and smells. Take time to really savor and enjoy your food; this goes for breakfast as well as all other meals and snacks. If you get stuck in a breakfast rut, try and shake things up so you don’t get bored with your meal. Try these diabetes-friendly breakfast ideas from the American Diabetes Association.

It’s easier to avoid trigger foods that can spike your blood sugar levels if they aren’t in your fridge or cupboard. Take time to clear out the problem foods and replace them with healthy alternatives. Don’t forget about your workplace. You may be surprised to find plenty of healthy snack options when you’re looking to satisfy a certain craving. Unsalted or lightly salted nuts or popcorn can take the place of chips, for example. The popularity of healthy snacks, whole foods based snacks, or minimally processed snacks in recent years means that you can often even find packaged foods that are diabetes-friendly. Reading the nutrition label can ensure you're making choices in line with your goals.

Taking this step not only limits exposure to foods that can end up causing more hunger in the long run, it can help create a certain peace of mind if you know you won’t be faced with temptation throughout the day.

Find out if you or a loved one qualifies for a CGM through your insurance by completing our quick and secure Eligibility Form.

The process is simple, and we guarantee your information will remain confidential. Once submitted, we'll contact you shortly to let you know your eligibility status.

If you're eligible, you can select from a range of high-quality CGMs that are covered by insurance, available right from your phone or computer. Depending on your insurance plan, options may include:

• Dexcom: G6 System or G7 System
• Abbott: FreeStyle Libre 2 System or FreeStyle Libre 3 System

Don't forget to explore our blog for helpful resources, including answers to common questions about your CGM, managing the ins and outs of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, insurance updates and more!

Aeroflow Diabetes Disclaimer

Information provided on the Aeroflow Diabetes blog is not intended as a substitute to medical advice or care. Aeroflow Diabetes recommends consulting a doctor if you are experiencing medical issues or concerns.