Low Snacks - Wiki - Mason Earl

Low snacks are fast-acting carbohydrates used to treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). As someone with Type 1 Diabetes, having reliable low snacks on hand is essential.

When You Need Them

When blood sugar drops, you need something that hits fast. That's where low snacks come in.

Fast-Acting (Immediate Glucose Hit)

These get absorbed quickly and raise blood sugar within minutes:

Suncup Apple Juice Shots - Perfect size to carry around. Available on Amazon. For some reason the juice feels like it gets absorbed quicker than other options. My go-to.
Smarties - Pure glucose (dextrose). Immediate hit. Easy to dose.
Jolly Ranchers - Sugar candy that dissolves and absorbs fast
Any type of juice - Orange juice, grape juice, apple juice. All work.

Tip: Suncup apple juice shots are the perfect portable option. Small enough to keep in a pocket or bag, and they work fast.

Sustained Release (Longer Duration)

When you need carbs to keep hitting over a longer period of time, these options provide more sustained energy:

Protein bars - Carbs plus protein and fat slows absorption, provides longer coverage
Bagels - High carb, slower digesting than pure sugar
High carb meals - When you need serious carb coverage for extended activity

Use these when you're going to be active for a while or when you need to prevent another low from happening.

The Strategy

For a typical low: hit it with fast-acting glucose first (juice, Smarties). Wait 15 minutes. Check again. If still low, repeat.

For a low before extended activity: fast glucose to bring it up, then follow with something sustained to keep it stable.

Always carry something. Lows don't care about timing or convenience.