Consuming certain foods and beverages can cause your blood glucose levels to rise quickly or gradually over time. People with Diabetes must balance these variations with other concerns, such as how much insulin they require for meals and drinks.
However, given varying clinical recommendations and how much diabetes management and healthcare are individualized, it can be challenging to determine precisely what is deemed “normal” for glucose levels. That implies that one person’s suggested glucose goal or target range may differ from another.
Let us talk about the consequences and precautions of normal blood sugar levels after eating is the subject of this article.
What Should Your Blood Sugar Levels Be Following A Meal?
Your blood sugar levels after you begin to eat and drink are referred to as postprandial, and they are a crucial indicator of your general health, especially if you have Diabetes.
Most recommendations emphasize the higher end of a glucose level than the complete range frequently seen before anything is eaten since food boosts blood sugar.
Also Check: How To Reduce Blood Sugar Levels Immediately? Exercise Aren’t Enough
After Eating
- One to two hours after eating, persons with Diabetes should have blood glucose levels less than 180 mg/dL.
- Blood glucose levels after eating should be fewer than 140 mg/dL for adults without Diabetes.
- Although there isn’t a defined limit for children and adolescents, keeping their blood glucose levels below 180 mg/dL after eating is generally advised.
- To effectively control their blood sugar levels during pregnancy, women should aim for less than 140 mg/dL one hour after eating and less than 120 mg/dL two hours later.
Usually, two hours after eating, your blood sugar levels should return to “normal.” However, that postprandial effect might vary greatly depending on what you eat, and drink, and how much insulin is administered.
The postprandial glucose range may differ for kids, teens, and older diabetic adults who may have to maintain higher glucose levels due to safety issues, including falling (more frequent in older diabetic individuals who experience hypoglycemia).
The ADA stated in its yearly guidelines that “less stringent” glucose targets may suit people who cannot recognize hypoglycemia or are more likely to experience severe hypoglycemic episodes.
Most medical and Diabetes organizations now promote personalized, individual goals that may alter depending on a variety of factors more than just your diet.
These extra elements could consist of:
- Diabetes type
- Age
- How much exercise do you get?
- How much insulin do you take?
- Any side effects or additional medical conditions you may have
How Can Diet Impact Blood Sugar Levels?
Everything you consume is broken down by your body, which absorbs it into your system and uses some of it as sugar and energy.
White bread, sweet foods, and starchy foods are foods with a high glycemic index that are quickly absorbed and can induce a spike in blood sugar. Foods with a lower glycemic index and those high in fat and protein are digested more slowly and cause your blood sugar levels to rise more gradually.
People with Diabetes cannot naturally control their blood sugar levels because their bodies cannot manufacture or use insulin as they should. Because of this, their glucose levels may be significantly higher than those of a person without Diabetes, whose body normally produces insulin for the foods and liquids they ingest to maintain normal glucose levels.
Read More: Postprandial Blood Sugar – Why Should You Test Your Blood Sugar After Meal?
How To Test Your Blood Sugar?
Your doctor might advise you to test your blood sugar at home using a special tool called a blood glucose monitor or home blood sugar meter if you have Diabetes to keep track of it. It detects the quantity of glucose in a small blood sample, typically from the tip of your finger.
Your doctor will provide the best time and method to test your blood sugar. Record it each time you do it in a journal, an online tool, or an app. Your doctor may be concerned about a reading depending on the time of day, your recent activities, your most recent meal, and other factors.
Conclusion
Two hours after the commencement of a meal, typical blood sugar levels are fewer than 180 mg/dL. An individual’s optimum blood sugar targets can vary depending on age, health issues, and other factors.
It’s crucial to consult a healthcare team. Regular mealtimes and evenly spaced carbohydrate intake throughout the day can support energy maintenance without significantly raising blood glucose levels.
