It's important to consistently check your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes, especially around mealtimes. Show Diabetes affects more than 1 in 10 Americans, yet it can still feel like an unclear and complicated illness to manage. One of the best ways to better understand your diabetes is by regularly checking your blood glucose levels. But what makes your blood glucose levels change? And when is the best time to check it especially around mealtimes? Here we answer those questions and more. What causes your blood glucose to go up?Blood glucose (also referred to as blood sugar) refers to the amount of glucose that is circulating through your blood, ideally headed to cells for energy. Insulin is the hormone that allows glucose into our cells, but those with type 1 diabetes don't produce insulin and those with type 2 diabetes are resistant to insulin and don't use it effectively. Things that can make our blood glucose levels go up include food, stress and illness. Things can can cause our blood glucose levels to go down can include long periods of time without eating, taking too much medication (like insulin) and physical activity. Each person, regardless of whether they have diabetes, has their own healthy blood sugar target range where their body functions as its best. If you have diabetes, it's important to identify what your range is, and how it compares to a range that would make you feel your best. Talk with your healthcare team about your current range as well as what the healthiest range for you would be. When is the best time to check your blood glucose after a meal?Measuring your blood glucose after a meal is important because that is typically when our blood glucose levels are at their highest. Food takes some time to be broken down into usable energy, but most of the food you consume will be digested and raise your blood glucose in one to two hours. To capture the peak level of your blood glucose, it is best to test one to two hours after you start eating. Post-meal blood glucose monitoring (and record-keeping) is important because it helps you see how your body responds to carbohydrates in general, and also how you respond to particular foods. Managing post-meal blood glucose can help reduce your risk of developing other complications associated with diabetes, such as heart and circulation problems.  If you're trying to manage diabetes, you already know it's important to keep track of your blood sugar levels. But how do you handle a spike that comes after you eat? It's called "postprandial" blood glucose, and if you take some simple steps, you can get it under control and help avoid health problems. When your blood sugar is high, you can get
symptoms like a foggy-headed feeling that makes it hard to focus or think clearly. Your energy may also take a dive, and you may feel nervous or moody. If your levels go too low, you could even pass out. In the long run, if your blood sugar stays up, you could be at risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, or other problems. How to Measure Your SpikesThe American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends you check your blood sugar levels right before mealtime with a blood sample from a finger stick. Then do it again 1 to 2 hours after that first bite of food. Keep this up for a week or so. Write down the time and the blood sugar number. Make a note about anything you think might affect your levels, like medicine or exercise. And don't forget to log exactly what you ate, along with portion sizes and the amount of carbs. What levels are too high after a meal? Experts vary on what the number should be, but the ADA says a general goal is a blood sugar level under 180 mg/dL, 1 to 2 hours after a meal. Talk to your doctor about what you should aim for, and don't adjust your medicine without speaking to them first. Get medicine that works for you. The right insulin or medication program can make a big difference. In general, to cover after-meal spikes, those that kick in quickly and for a short time are a better choice than ones that work slowly over a long period. Your doctor can explain your options. Keep blood sugar in check before meals. That way, even if it goes up after you eat, it won't be so dramatic. Watch what you eat. Limit sweets, white bread, rice, pasta, and potatoes. They tend to trigger
post-meal spikes. The type of fat you eat may play a role, as well. One study shows you may be able to curb blood sugar spikes after you eat if you skip foods with lots of butter and choose a meal made with a little olive oil instead. Eat breakfast every morning. Even when you're in a hurry to get out the door, don't be tempted to skip it. A study shows that folks with diabetes who don't eat breakfast get higher blood sugar spikes after lunch and dinner. The ideal morning meal? It might just be one that's packed with protein. A small study shows that when people ate a 500-calorie breakfast that was 35% protein, their post-meal blood sugar levels were lower than those who started their day with high-carb food. But check with your doctor to see what's right for you. Go for an after-dinner walk. It's a healthy habit for everyone, but if you have
diabetes, it's also a good way to burn extra glucose from a meal. © 2022 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. SOURCES: At what time after eating would you expect the highest blood sugar level?Food takes some time to be broken down into usable energy, but most of the food you consume will be digested and raise your blood glucose in one to two hours. To capture the peak level of your blood glucose, it is best to test one to two hours after you start eating.
How long after eating does blood sugar drop?Regina Castro, M.D. Reactive hypoglycemia (postprandial hypoglycemia) refers to low blood sugar that occurs after a meal — usually within four hours after eating. This is different from low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) that occurs while fasting.
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How long does it take for blood sugar to rise after eating
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