My niece is 7 and was diagnosed with diabetes last summer. In the past couple weeks her blood sugar is dropping dramatically during the night. When she wakes up she is disoriented. They have been in touch with their doctor who changed their bedtime routine but they have heard of something call “NiteBite bars” and would like to know if anyone has heard of them or eaten them and what the reaction was.

NiteBites are a bar containing uncooked cornstarch. Uncooked cornstarch enters the blood stream more slowly and seems to help avoid middle of the night hypoglycemia. They come in several flavors and are available at most drugstores in the pharmacy section. They are worth a try — some like them, some don’t.

JM
Additional comments from Dr. Schulga:

She may need a change in dose of long-acting insulin, or has her diet changed before bed? This situation could happen also after being more active than usual in the evening and not compensating for it.

JS

[Editor’s comment: NiteBite and the new Extend Bar both contain uncooked cornstarch to help reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.

JSH]