How Many Calories in Glucose Tablets? – Other Glucose Options

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Posted by Prescription Hope - See Editorial Guidelines (Last Updated On: Fri Apr 21 2023)

Glucose tablets are used for quick relief to raise blood sugar levels when it drops dangerously low. Glucose tablets are chewable, similar to chewable sugar cubes, and are used by diabetes patients as an aid to help with diabetes management. So, the sugary content might prompt you to ask what the calorie count in a glucose tablet is when measuring your dietary calorie intake.

This article will give a clear understanding of calories in glucose tablets, including what that amount is and how they work the way they do.

But first, here’s a quick takeaway answer, then we’ll go through some details and stats.

Do Glucose tablets have Calories? Glucose tablets typically contain no more than 15 Calories per tablet. There are 4 calories in 1g of glucose. A glucose tablet contains glucose, preservatives, flavorings, and binding agents to keep the tablet’s shape. These ingredients are added to a consistency that makes these tablets chewable.

The convenience of this product is that these are obtainable over the counter and act rapidly. For those with diabetes who are being careful with their weight, these tablets are also low on the calorie count at just 15 calories per tablet.

Aside from having a low-calorie count per tablet of just the 15 calories, let’s take a look at what else these glucose tablets contain to enable them to work so rapidly.

Main Ingredients in Glucose Tablets

When it comes to calorie counting, the main ingredient in glucose tablets that you should focus on is the glucose itself, as there are around 4 calories per one gram of glucose.

Glucose tablets and other glucose products are a fast-acting source of glucose. As the name suggests, glucose is the main ingredient in these tablets have.

Glucose is a fast-acting source to boost blood sugar levels. This is exactly why many may drink glucose water as well after exercising.

When you exercise, the blood sugar level in the body reduces because of burns glucose for energy. So, drinking or having glucose just after exercise helps to boost up the blood sugar levels. The same way glucose tablets work.

Calories in Glucose Tablets

The amount of calories and grams of carbohydrates in glucose tablets may vary depending on the brand you buy. Typically, there about 4 calories per gram of added sugar in each tablet. And there are 4 grams of carbohydrates, or added sugar, in each tablet. Therefore, each glucose tablet will have about 15-16 calories.

However, in order for a person with diabetes to treat hypoglycemia, they will require about 15-20 grams of carbs. Therefore, the typical amount of consumed calories from glucose tablets will total to about 60-75 calories.

Calories in Glucose Gel Pouches

There are glucose gel pouches that you can squeeze into the mouth. These typically contain 110 Calories per pouch and would give the same effect as glucose tablets. Glucose gel pouches will provide a person with about 15-25 grams of carbohydrates, depending on the brand.

Other Ingredients in Glucose Tablets

All of these forms of glucose products contain other ingredients too.

A glucose tablet typically has the following:

• Glucose
• Preservatives
• Flavorings
• Binding agents

Binding agents are there just to help maintain the tablet shape. Tablets are chewable to allow for easy and quick absorption.

The flavorings, of course, give glucose tablets a candy-like taste. This allows for patients to choose which flavor they desire and makes the product more palatable.

Natural Remedies

Of course, the ingredients in a glucose tablet and its overall effect can be obtained from other natural remedies.

For example, sugar, honey, and any other juices like orange juice have glucose that can increase the blood sugar levels, just like glucose tablets. Even candy can increase blood sugar levels.

But the main aim of a glucose tablet or other forms of glucose products is that they’re designed especially for the body to absorb glucose in the blood rapidly.

Another special thing about what glucose tablets have is that they have a precise and standard dose. If one is consuming glucose sources to treat low blood sugar, the standard and recommended amount to take is at least 15 grams of glucose.

So, if you’re consuming glucose from sources other than tablets, such as fruit juices or candy bars, then just be aware of how much you should consume to get your standard 15 grams of carbs. It may be harder to track your calories this way.

Using glucose tablets can give you confidence, knowing that you’re getting the right amount of glucose (as well as the same amount of calories) each time. Glucose tablets are also very convenient, given the container they come in.

To recap – 15 grams of glucose would mean chewing four glucose tablets and results in around 60 calories.

15 and 15 Rule

The amount of carbohydrates needed to bring blood sugar back up can vary from person to person. It can also vary depending on the life circumstance at hand.

So, be sure to ask your doctor for recommendations on the specific dose. But as a guide, there’s a simple 15 and 15 rule that you can apply to the dosage of glucose tablets.

The rule is, you should take about 15 grams of carbs (again this is 4 glucose tablets) and then check the blood sugar level after 15 minutes. If it’s still low, then repeat the 15 grams of carbs and wait for another 15 minutes.

Why Glucose Tablets Work Better Than Other Glucose Remedies

Glucose tablets will be more beneficial than other glucose remedies because they are made with a purpose in mind. They are designed to be carried easily when one is physically active or out of the house. They also contain minimal ingredients and have the perfect amount of carbohydrates needed.

Candy and fruit juices do, ultimately, have a similar effect. However, it can be challenging to get just the right amount of carbohydrates to correct one’s blood sugar level. Plus, these other glucose remedies often contain many other ingredients that may not be healthy.

Conclusion

We hope this article has enlightened you not only on calories in glucose tablets but also on the calories in glucose gels.

Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding affording your medication. The team at Prescription Hope knows that it can be difficult to afford life-saving medications, such as insulin. We work directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide you with the medication you need at a set, affordable cost. Enroll with us to find out if you are eligible.