The food we eat provides energy to fuel our bodies throughout the day in the form of blood sugar. Carbs in particular are needed to energise the brain. When the body experiences a shortage of fuel, your blood sugar may drop, causing you to feel dizzy.
The human body breaks down and absorbs carbs for energy quicker than any other nutrients, so if you can find a good source of simple carbs, like fruit juice, bread, a cup of milk, or a bit of honey, eating one of these will help restore your blood sugar levels quickly.
Once the initial bout of dizziness has passed, try having another snack that pairs a fibre-rich complex carb with protein. Eating this way helps stabilise your blood sugar levels and prevent them from falling suddenly.
Some examples of snack combinations:
- yoghurt with fruit
- whole-grain crackers with cheese
- peanut butter toast
- cut veggies with hummus
A note if you're on a weight loss injection: eating very little across the day can catch up with you as a mid-afternoon wobble, and the snack pairings above help there too. Dizziness that keeps showing up belongs in front of your prescriber though.
Dehydration can be confused with low blood sugar, since many symptoms of each are similar. An easy way to distinguish dehydration from low blood sugar is to check if you’re producing urine that is dark in colour. If hydration is your sticking point, we have seven tips and a 7-day challenge.
Persistent dizziness can also point to low iron, which is worth ruling out. Feeling the cold is often the other clue, and vitamins, why and what covers what to keep an eye on.
Final thought. Speak with a medical professional like a doctor or registered dietitian if you’re regularly experiencing dizziness, and always listen to your body.