The fastest way to raise low blood sugar is to eat or drink 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, then wait 15 minutes and recheck. Blood sugar below 70 mg/dL is considered low, and acting quickly matters because untreated low blood sugar can progress to confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness.
The 15-15 Rule
The standard approach to treating low blood sugar is simple: consume 15 grams of quick-absorbing carbohydrates, wait 15 minutes, then test your blood sugar again. If it’s still below 70 mg/dL, repeat with another 15 grams. Keep repeating until your levels come back up.
Any of these will give you roughly 15 grams of carbohydrates:
- 3 glucose tablets
- Half a cup (4 ounces) of fruit juice or regular soda
- 6 or 7 hard candies
- 1 tablespoon of sugar (dissolved in water or placed under the tongue)
Glucose tablets are the most reliable option because they contain a precise dose and absorb quickly. Juice and regular soda work well too, but avoid diet versions since they contain no sugar. The goal is pure, simple sugar that hits your bloodstream fast, so this is not the time for whole grains, fiber-rich snacks, or anything with a lot of fat. Those slow down absorption, which is the opposite of what you need.
Why You Shouldn’t Overtreat
When your blood sugar drops and you feel shaky, hungry, or lightheaded, the instinct is to eat everything in sight. Resist that urge. Consuming too many carbohydrates at once will send your blood sugar rocketing past normal and into a high that your body then has to correct, starting a cycle of swings. Stick to 15 grams, wait the full 15 minutes even if you still feel off, and only eat more if your recheck confirms you’re still low.
Stabilizing After the Initial Fix
Getting your blood sugar back above 70 mg/dL is only half the job. Fast-acting carbohydrates burn through quickly, and without a follow-up, your levels can drop right back down. Within 15 to 30 minutes of correcting the low, eat a balanced meal or a substantial snack that includes protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates. This combination digests slowly and keeps your blood sugar steady for hours rather than minutes.
Good follow-up snacks include a turkey or peanut butter sandwich, cheese and crackers, yogurt with granola, or a bowl of cereal with milk. The protein and fat act as a buffer, preventing another rapid drop. This step is especially important at night. A bedtime snack with protein, carbohydrate, fat, and fiber (something like a sandwich with peanut butter or a bowl of cereal with milk) helps prevent overnight lows while you sleep.
A Note for People on Certain Medications
If you take a medication that slows carbohydrate digestion (acarbose is the most common one), regular table sugar, juice, and soda may not work fast enough to raise your blood sugar. These medications block the enzyme that breaks table sugar down into glucose, so the sugar passes through without being absorbed quickly. In this case, you need pure glucose, meaning glucose tablets or glucose gel. Keep these on hand rather than relying on food-based sources.
When Low Blood Sugar Becomes an Emergency
Blood sugar below 54 mg/dL is classified as severely low. At this level, you may feel confused, have trouble speaking, or struggle to coordinate your movements. If someone with low blood sugar becomes unconscious or can’t swallow safely, do not try to put food or liquid in their mouth. This is when glucagon becomes necessary.
Glucagon is a prescription emergency medication that raises blood sugar rapidly by triggering the liver to release stored glucose. It comes as a pre-filled auto-injector or syringe and is given as a shot in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. A nasal powder version is also available. If you use insulin or are at risk for severe lows, having glucagon nearby and making sure a family member or close friend knows how to use it can be lifesaving. Once someone regains consciousness after a glucagon dose, they should eat a snack with carbohydrates and protein as soon as they can swallow safely.
Recognizing the Warning Signs Early
Catching low blood sugar before it becomes dangerous gives you more time to treat it calmly. Early symptoms include shakiness, sweating, a fast heartbeat, sudden hunger, irritability, and feeling anxious or jittery. As levels drop further, you may notice blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, slurred speech, or unusual fatigue. Some people, particularly those who have had diabetes for many years, lose the ability to feel these warning signs, a condition called hypoglycemia unawareness. If that applies to you, more frequent blood sugar monitoring or a continuous glucose monitor becomes essential for catching lows before they become severe.
Keeping Supplies Where You Need Them
Low blood sugar doesn’t wait for a convenient moment. Keep glucose tablets or a small juice box in your car, your desk at work, your nightstand, and your gym bag. If you carry a purse or backpack daily, stash a tube of glucose tablets in there too. Having fast-acting carbohydrates within arm’s reach means the difference between treating a mild low in two minutes and scrambling to find something while your thinking gets foggy. Replace stored supplies before they expire, and check your stash periodically so you’re never caught off guard.