Why Your Brain Fights Glucose Tablets (And How to Retrain It)
If glucose tablets work so well, why do so many people with type 1 diabetes avoid them like they’re punishment? In this episode, we dig into the psychology behind low blood sugar cravings. Why your brain wants comfort food instead of fast...
The episode, word for word
If you hate glucose tablets, you're not gonna use them. And if you're not gonna use them, this whole challenge is pointless.
So today, we're gonna find glucose options that you'll actually reach for when you're low. And because I'm feeling chaotic, I'm gonna see how many Gen Alpha words I can cram into this episode without making you want to unsubscribe.
Fair warning: It's gonna be lowkey unhinged. But we're gonna make it work. No cap.
I'm Neil Greathouse, and this is Your Best T1D Year.
Welcome to Wednesday. We're in Week 3 of the Low Blood Sugar Challenge, and Monday we talked about why food is not a rescue drug. Today, we're getting practical.
Because here's the thing: telling you to use glucose tablets is great in theory. But if you think they taste like sidewalk chalk and you'd rather eat a shoe, you're not gonna do it. And honestly? That's valid.
So let's find something that actually works. Something you'll keep in your pocket, your car, your bedside table. Something that doesn't make you gag.
And yes, I'm absolutely gonna pepper in as many Gen Alpha references as possible. Why? Because I'm bored and it's Wednesday. Consider this your warning. Let's dive in.
Let me guess:
You tried glucose tablets once. Maybe twice. They tasted chalky. Weird. Like you were eating compressed disappointment. And you thought, "Yeah, no. This ain't it, chief. I'm not doing that again."
Listen, I get it. Glucose tablets are mid at best. They're medicine. They're functional. They're about as exciting as replacing the batteries in your smoke detector. They're giving "necessary but tragic."
But here's the problem: if you don't have a glucose option you'll actually use, you're gonna keep reaching for food. And we've already covered why that's a whole vibe we're trying to avoid.
So let's find something that doesn't make you want to fake your own death every time you go low.
Here's what you've got to work with:
Option 1: Glucose Tablets (The Classic) These are the OG. They come in different flavors, grape, orange, raspberry, tropical fruit. Some taste better than others. Some brands are less chalky. My advice? Try a few. Find one that doesn't send you into a full existential crisis.
Pros: Portable. Precise. 4 grams per tablet, so the math is easy. Cons: Not exactly rizz-worthy. Some people think they taste like regret mixed with chalk dust. It's giving "I have to do this but I'm not happy about it."
Option 2: Glucose Gel (The Squeeze Packet) TRUEplus makes a fruit punch glucose gel that's 20 grams exactly. You rip it open, squeeze it into your mouth, and you're done. It's basically a Capri Sun for emergencies. Lowkey genius.
Pros: Fast. No chewing required. Great for overnight lows when you don't want to fully wake up. It slaps in the convenience department. Cons: Sticky. Messy if you're not careful. Definitely not giving sophistication. More like "I'm eating this in my car at 2am and there's gel on the steering wheel now."
Option 3: Glucose Gummies (The Fun Option) Glu-Glu Glow makes glucose gummies that actually taste good. They're like fruit snacks, but functional. They come in pouches, they're easy to carry, and honestly? They're bussin'. This is the main character energy of glucose options.
Pros: They don't taste like punishment. You might actually want to eat them. It's giving "treating a low doesn't have to be miserable." Cons: They're gummies, so you might be tempted to eat more than you need. Stay disciplined, bestie. No delulu behavior here.
Option 4: Liquid Glucose (The Last Resort) If you're really low and nothing else is working, liquid glucose hits fast. But it's basically drinking pure sugar syrup. It's not coquette. It's not aesthetic. It's survival mode. Very demure? Absolutely not.
Pros: Works immediately. Sigma energy, gets the job done, no questions asked. Cons: Tastes like you're licking a beehive. Not for casual use. This is the "break glass in case of emergency" option.
Here's the thing:
The best glucose option is the one you'll actually use. That's it. I don't care if it's tablets, gels, or gummies. I don't care if it's brand name or generic. I care that when you're 55 mg/dL and your hands are shaking, you reach for glucose first. That's the whole vibe we're going for here.
So here's what you do:
Step 1: Try a few options. Buy a couple different brands. Test them when you're NOT low. Figure out what doesn't make you want to cry. Find your slay option.
Step 2: Stock up. Once you find something that works, buy it in bulk. Keep it everywhere. Your car. Your bag. Your nightstand. Your desk. Your partner's house. Everywhere. We're talking full send on glucose availability.
Step 3: Use it. When you're low, reach for glucose first. Not food. Not juice. Glucose. Every. Single. Time. No exceptions. No "but what if" scenarios. Just glucose. Ate and left no crumbs, that's you following through.
That's the challenge. That's the habit. That's what changes everything.
You know how everyone's obsessed with "girl math" on TikTok? Like, "If I return something, that's free money, so I can buy something else"?
That's us with glucose tablets. "If I take four glucose tablets, that's only 16 grams, so I can also eat a granola bar just to be safe."
No. That's not how this works. That's not giving logic. That's giving blood sugar roller coaster. That's giving "I'm cooked."
Take the glucose. Wait 15 minutes. Trust the process. You're gonna be fine, I promise. No cap. This is the way. Period.
Here's what I want you to think about this week:
"What's stopping me from keeping glucose on me at all times?"
Is it the taste? The cost? The inconvenience? Just notice. Because whatever it is, we can fix it. You've got this. Ong.
By the way, if you're just joining us, this is Week 3 of the Low Blood Sugar Challenge. We're building a habit. We're separating food from glucose. We're figuring out what actually works.
Head to yourbestt1dyear.com, sign up, and follow along. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to keep showing up. It's giving persistence. And honestly? That's the entire vibe. We're locked in.
Friday, we're doing a Week 3 check-in. How's it going? What's working? What's hard? We're gonna talk through it. And yeah, I'll probably throw in a few more Gen Alpha references because apparently that's where we are now. It's camp. It's meta. It's happening.
Stick with me.
Here's something actually fire, Blue Circle Health doesn't just hand you a prescription and ghost you. They help you figure out your tech, your insurance, your mental health, all of it. Free care. Real support. Available in 23 states plus Washington DC. including Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois! Go to bluecirclehealth.org. It's giving "finally, someone who gets it." Straight facts. No printer.
Type 1 diabetes is relentless, but managing it doesn't have to be. New episodes drop every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Find glucose you'll actually use. Keep going. You're doing better than you think. Understood the assignment.
// Year 33 Day 12408 #YourBestT1DYear
Jan 23 - 148
This is the script as read on the mic, lightly tidied for reading. Education, not medical advice. Talk to your care team before you change anything about your insulin.