Should I Eat If I Feel Shaky? Understanding Causes and Cures

December 9, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the American Diabetes Association, low blood glucose, or hypoglycemia, is a common cause of shakiness, especially for those with diabetes. For those wondering, "should I eat if I feel shaky?" the answer is a crucial first step in determining the underlying cause and finding relief.

Quick Summary

This guide explores the primary reasons for feeling shaky, including low blood sugar, anxiety, dehydration, and other health issues. It offers practical advice on what to eat, what to avoid, and when to seek medical attention to manage symptoms effectively.

Key Points

Low Blood Sugar: If shaky and hungry, consume 15-20g of fast-acting carbs like juice or candy.
Post-Hypo Snack: Follow up with protein and complex carbs (e.g., crackers with cheese) to stabilize blood sugar.
Anxiety Relief: Practice deep breathing or grounding techniques to calm your nervous system if stress is the cause.
Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can cause shakiness; drink plenty of water, especially during hot weather or exercise.
Avoid Stimulants: Reduce caffeine intake to avoid jitters and potential worsening of anxiety.
Monitor Your Body: Keep a diary of when you feel shaky, what you ate, and other symptoms to help identify the trigger.
Seek Medical Help: If shakiness is severe, frequent, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, see a doctor.

Why You Might Be Feeling Shaky

Feeling shaky is a common but unsettling symptom with various potential causes. While many people's first thought is low blood sugar, the reason could also be anxiety, dehydration, or an underlying medical condition. Understanding the root cause is the key to appropriate treatment. Eating something can sometimes help, but in other cases, different strategies are needed.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

One of the most frequent causes of shakiness is hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This can occur if you haven't eaten for an extended period, have eaten a meal high in simple carbohydrates, or if you have a condition like diabetes. When your blood sugar levels drop, your body releases hormones like adrenaline to help raise them, which can lead to trembling, sweating, and a racing heart.

Immediate Action: If you suspect low blood sugar, consume 15-20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates. This could be fruit juice, regular soda, glucose tablets, or hard candy.
Follow-up: After 15 minutes, check your blood sugar again. If it's still low, repeat the process. Once your levels stabilize, eat a small snack with protein and complex carbs to maintain your sugar levels.

Anxiety and Stress

Anxiety and stress trigger the body's 'fight or flight' response, releasing adrenaline and other stress hormones. This physiological reaction can cause physical symptoms like shakiness, a rapid heart rate, and muscle tension.

Calming Techniques: Practice deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or progressive muscle relaxation to calm your nervous system.
Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and managing overall stress levels can reduce the frequency and intensity of anxiety-induced shakiness.

Dehydration and Caffeine

Many people underestimate the impact of dehydration on their body. Not drinking enough fluids, especially water, can affect blood pressure and circulation, leading to weakness and shakiness. On the other hand, excessive caffeine is a potent stimulant that can cause jitters and tremors.

For Dehydration: Increase your fluid intake with water or electrolyte-rich beverages. If your urine is dark, you are likely dehydrated and need to drink more.
For Caffeine Overload: Reduce or avoid coffee, energy drinks, and other caffeinated products. Switching to decaf or herbal tea can be a helpful alternative.

Comparing Causes of Shakiness

To help pinpoint the reason behind your symptoms, here's a comparison of common causes:


Feature	Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)	Anxiety/Stress	Dehydration	Caffeine Overload
Timing	Often occurs when hungry, after skipping a meal, or a few hours after a high-carb meal.	Can occur at any time, often linked to a specific trigger or general anxiousness.	Can occur anytime, especially after exercise, in hot weather, or when fluid intake is low.	Appears shortly after consuming caffeinated beverages or products.
Other Symptoms	Sweating, extreme hunger, dizziness, fast heartbeat, confusion.	Rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, muscle tension, overwhelming fear, sweating.	Thirst, dry mouth, fatigue, decreased urination, dark urine.	Jitters, restlessness, insomnia, rapid heart rate.
Relief	Eating fast-acting carbs, followed by a balanced snack.	Relaxation techniques, grounding exercises, addressing the trigger.	Drinking water and other fluids.	Reducing or stopping caffeine intake.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While lifestyle adjustments can resolve many cases of shakiness, some instances require professional medical evaluation. If your shakiness is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other serious symptoms, it is vital to consult a healthcare provider. This is especially true if you do not have a history of diabetes or anxiety that would explain your symptoms.

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices for Your Health

Feeling shaky is your body's way of sending a message, whether it's a need for food, fluids, or emotional calm. By learning to differentiate between the common causes, you can take appropriate and timely action. If a quick, balanced snack or some relaxation techniques don't resolve the issue, it's a good idea to seek medical advice to rule out underlying conditions. Prioritizing consistent, healthy meals, managing stress, and staying hydrated are foundational steps towards a steadier, more balanced you.

For more in-depth information about managing blood sugar, you can visit the American Diabetes Association's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is possible. This is known as non-diabetic hypoglycemia and can result from causes like delayed meals, excessive alcohol, or rare underlying conditions. Eating small, frequent, balanced meals can often help prevent it.

Yes, anxiety is a common cause of physical shakiness. It triggers the release of adrenaline, a hormone that prepares the body for 'fight or flight,' leading to trembling, a racing heart, and muscle tension.

Low blood sugar is often accompanied by hunger, sweating, and dizziness and is typically resolved by eating carbs. Anxiety-induced shakiness may be triggered by a stressful event and is often accompanied by a rapid heart rate and a sense of dread. Keeping a symptom journal can help differentiate.

If you suspect low blood sugar, have a quick source of carbs like juice or glucose tabs. Once your blood sugar has normalized, eat a snack with protein and complex carbs, such as peanut butter on whole-wheat toast, to maintain stable levels.

Yes, dehydration can cause shakiness, weakness, and dizziness by reducing blood volume and affecting blood pressure. Staying well-hydrated throughout the day is essential for proper bodily function.

Seek immediate medical attention if shakiness is severe, sudden, or accompanied by symptoms like confusion, slurred speech, chest pain, or loss of consciousness. These could indicate a serious medical emergency.

Yes, consuming too much caffeine, a stimulant, can cause jitters, shakiness, and an increased heart rate, especially in sensitive individuals.