Cheap hypo remedy

[Doc_Brown]

I don't know about anyone else, but as someone who seems to have a fair few hypos (five today, but typically one or two a week), and who likes to watch the pennies, I've recently found a decent alternative to Lucozade or other sugary drinks.

Buying 5kg of dextrose powder online for about ?13 (delivered), I then mix 400g of this up in a 2 litre soft drink bottle with water and squash.

This gives a 20g carb shot in 100ml, which is easily decanted into Fruit Shoot bottles or similar for handy dosing.

Assuming 20g carb to treat each hypo, this works out at about 6p per hypo, compared to about 16p for Lucozade.

Two further bonuses: 1. Lucozade is caffeinated, which doesn't suit everyone, especially at night; 2. Lucozade is fizzy, which also doesn't suit everyone, especially those with gastroparesis.

I have too much time on my hands. Does it show? 🙄

 

[Northerner]

I always buy jelly babies when they are on offer - usually ?2 for a 400g box. A couple usually lifts me from a hypo so a box lasts a long time (although I haven't counted how many you get in a box, so am not in a position to say whether it is comparable price-wise to your solution 🙂

 

[Copepod]

I like squeezy pouches of fruit (apple / strawberry / raspberry), sold by ASDA for kids' lunchboxes - about 45p each or 3 for ?1.20 last time I bought some, I think. Each pouch weighs about 80g or 90g and contains about 15g of carbohydrate. Not too sweet, not too sticky, doesn't need to be washed down with water, unlike most sports gels, and because they have a cap, empty pack isn't a sticky mess.

Ideal for CHO when running / cycling / swimming / kayaking, as well as treating hypos.

Not the cheapest way, but very convenient, and I don't need many to treat hypos - more usually used for CHO when active.

 

[Northerner]

I like squeezy pouches of fruit (apple / strawberry / raspberry), sold by ASDA for kids' lunchboxes - about 45p each or 3 for ?1.20 last time I bought some, I think. Each pouch weighs about 80g or 90g and contains about 15g of carbohydrate. Not too sweet, not too sticky, doesn't need to be washed down with water, unlike most sports gels, and because they have a cap, empty pack isn't a sticky mess.

Ideal for CHO when running / cycling / swimming / kayaking, as well as treating hypos.

Not the cheapest way, but very convenient, and I don't need many to treat hypos - more usually used for CHO when active.

Might give those a try for when I'm out running as they sound a lot cheaper than gels and I'm not particularly keen on chewing JBs when running.

 

[scotty]

i have glucogel on my monthy script, but find it horrible too swallow, have a word with your doctor

 

[Copepod]

Might give those a try for when I'm out running as they sound a lot cheaper than gels and I'm not particularly keen on chewing JBs when running.

Exactly, much cheaper and nicer tasting than gels, and lower CHO per pack, plus, screw top means you don't have to eat all at one go. If you spot them in any other supermarkets, then please let me know.

 

[Northerner]

Exactly, much cheaper and nicer tasting than gels, and lower CHO per pack, plus, screw top means you don't have to eat all at one go. If you spot them in any other supermarkets, then please let me know.

I'll be checking out Sainsbury's on Monday on my 'Burgen run' - no ASDA near where I live 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Don't your Tesco's sell it Alan? - or haven't you got one of them either?

Doc why 5 hypos in one day? - just user error LOL or what?

 

[Northerner]

Don't your Tesco's sell it Alan? - or haven't you got one of them either?

Doc why 5 hypos in one day? - just user error LOL or what?

There's a Tesco Express nearby but no Burgen

 

[Adrienne]

Caffeine and fizzy all help hypos would you believe. Fizzy works quicker than flat and caffeine speeds it up to although I know some people can't have either 🙂

I can't have jelly babies in the house for Jessica as I would eat them all 😱

 

[Northerner]

I can't have jelly babies in the house for Jessica as I would eat them all 😱

Even the green ones? 😱 😉

 

[PattiEvans]

Northie

Cheapest place to buy Burgen is Iceland if you have one of those nearby. You can print off a 30p coupon here

 

[Monica]

Even the green ones? 😱 😉

It's the other way round here. I can have Jelly Babies in our house as they are the only sweets I do NOT like 😛

 

[Doghouse]

I just use dextro tablets if 'caught short'. 4g lifts my BS by about 1mmol/l, so a 3.3g tablet would easily stop me passing out while I work out a better tactic. I can usually find a packet of dextro in any garment I have warn, or are about to ware. Mike

 

[Austin Mini]

You can get an awful lot of Jelly Babies in your pocket and they are quick acting and very cheap. I know you might not like this but five Hypos in one day you are injecting far too much insulin.

 

[lauraw1983]

I always buy jelly babies when they are on offer - usually ?2 for a 400g box. A couple usually lifts me from a hypo so a box lasts a long time (although I haven't counted how many you get in a box, so am not in a position to say whether it is comparable price-wise to your solution 🙂

I find they "dry" out once opened though?

They are my OH's fave sweets too - after him eating too many bags of them 😡 I have started buying other hypo treatments!

My preferred is orange or apple juice (200ml) but the mini cans of coke are good for my handbag and the car.

If only I could stop the "WANT TO EAT EVERYTHING" that follows my fast acting remedy. I am getting better but it's so hard sometimes!

 

[lauraw1983]

I like squeezy pouches of fruit (apple / strawberry / raspberry), sold by ASDA for kids' lunchboxes - about 45p each or 3 for ?1.20 last time I bought some, I think. Each pouch weighs about 80g or 90g and contains about 15g of carbohydrate. Not too sweet, not too sticky, doesn't need to be washed down with water, unlike most sports gels, and because they have a cap, empty pack isn't a sticky mess.

Ideal for CHO when running / cycling / swimming / kayaking, as well as treating hypos.

Not the cheapest way, but very convenient, and I don't need many to treat hypos - more usually used for CHO when active.

Ha I buy these for my kids but have never thought about them as a hypo treatment - good idea!! Will definitely try those in future - thanks! 🙂

 

[lauraw1983]

Exactly, much cheaper and nicer tasting than gels, and lower CHO per pack, plus, screw top means you don't have to eat all at one go. If you spot them in any other supermarkets, then please let me know.

You get these type of things next to the baby/toddler foods too - no idea on pack weights and CHO content though but I will have a look next time I am shopping.

 

[Adrienne]

Even the green ones? 😱 😉

Yep I would eat the lot even the green ones. No jelly baby is safe in this house 😛

 

[Northerner]

I like squeezy pouches of fruit (apple / strawberry / raspberry), sold by ASDA for kids' lunchboxes - about 45p each or 3 for ?1.20 last time I bought some, I think. Each pouch weighs about 80g or 90g and contains about 15g of carbohydrate. Not too sweet, not too sticky, doesn't need to be washed down with water, unlike most sports gels, and because they have a cap, empty pack isn't a sticky mess.

Ideal for CHO when running / cycling / swimming / kayaking, as well as treating hypos.

Not the cheapest way, but very convenient, and I don't need many to treat hypos - more usually used for CHO when active.

I was in town today so had a look for these in ASDA but couldn't find anything like you describe Which section are they sold in and what are they called?