I am not consuming sweets too often, so, where these blood sugar spikes are originating?
Blood glucose is derived from the foods a person eats. And, glucose is the human body’s major energy source. The body transports sugar to all the body cells for the purpose of energy. When the blood glucose levels go too high, it leads to diabetes. Gradually, having unregulated blood glucose may cause severe issues. Although a person is not diabetic, he or she might experience blood glucose issues that are too high or too low. Hence, it is important to maintain a regular schedule of eating, exercise, and medicine.
It is critical to keep the blood glucose levels within a target limit. A person might need to check the glucose levels frequently to know if they are controlled. A doctor would also carry out a blood test called the glycated hemoglobin test or the Hba1c test. It checks the average glucose level over the previous 3 months.
Does the blood sugar level after a meal really matter?
Many diabetics evaluate their fasting levels of blood glucose, yet they miss testing their glucose levels after meals. If a person is not testing how food has an impact on blood sugar, he or she is missing the complete picture. Post-prandial blood glucose offers significant information on how a person’s body manages sugar after a meal.
Quick facts
Blood glucose starts spiking nearly 10 minutes after the beginning of a meal and 2 hours after a meal. After that, it goes back to the pre-meal levels within 2-3 hours. By keeping track of the post-meal sugar, the healthcare provider and nutritionist may determine whether fasting insulin or dietary changes are essential to lower such glucose spikes.
Nutritionists advise managing post-meal blood glucose
- What’s your intake: If a person has managed pre-meal sugar targets but his or her HbA1c stays higher than the target values, post-prandial sugar tracking and control are essential.
- Choose non-starchy foods: These food products contain fewer carbohydrates and pack a rich vitamin and mineral content. All these nutrients aid in blood glucose control. Some non-starchy foods can be avocado, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, olives, cabbage, cucumbers, onion, green beans, etc.
- Add in leafy greens: Green leafy veggies such as spinach contain rich fibers and prevent random glucose spikes. In addition, green leafy veggies comprise antioxidants useful for protecting the eyes from diabetic complications.
- Avoid missing out on breakfast: As per a study, it is seen that diabetics who skip breakfast experience high levels of blood glucose after lunch and dinner.
- Consume seeds: People may add flax and chia seeds to their morning breakfast. Chia seeds pack rich fiber, fewer digestible carbohydrates, and may reduce glucose levels as per studies. In addition, flax seeds are valuable as they help in improving blood glucose management. Also, flax helps in lowering the risk of cardiovascular ailments such as stroke.
- Eat more nuts: It again aids in better blood glucose management. Nuts comprise rich fibres and low-digestible carbohydrates that do not permit the blood glucose to elevate. Almonds and walnuts might be an ideal preference for an evening snack.
- Look out for the power of spices: Garlic and cinnamon are being used for a long time in traditional medicine. Spices are full of natural substances that aid in stabilizing glucose levels.
- Aim for a post-dinner walk: It is a healthy habit for any person as it helps in preventing acidity. But if a person is diabetic, it’s also a better approach to burn additional glucose from a meal.
Who should test after-meal glucose levels more often?
There are a few individuals who are required to test their PPG and glucose levels more often as per the ADA. These are:
- Diabetics those have high blood sugar that it is difficult to control.
- Pregnant females having type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes
- The person getting any new insulin or a regular insulin dosage
- If an individual is having a history of high glucose levels post-meals
- If a person is consuming multiple medications
Diabetes has an impact on even young adults. It is vital to learn about ways to recover from it in the early phases. With proper lifestyle changes, it is possible to maintain blood sugar levels. It is vital not to overlook the signs, get tested regularly, and visit a doctor for regular follow-ups.
To manage these post-meal blood sugar spikes and reverse the condition, reach us at Breathe Well-being. It is a Natural Diabetes Reversal Platform. Breathe Well-being is a well-researched path to Diabetes Reversal and its Control. With specific lifestyle tracking and expert counselling, we partner towards crafting long-term healthy habits.
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