The normal glucose level of a person should be 140 to 180 mg/dL after food. But it can increase and rise higher because of several reasons. Age might be a factor but the most important is your food and drinking habits.
The kind of food you eat and the drinks you consume can increase your Glucose level as per the studies. The rise of glucose levels can create several health issues over time. People with high sugar levels or diabetes face various difficulties. The body is unable to prepare the natural insulin. The artificial insulin is injected inside the body before having any kind of food or beverage. Some diabetes patients are also treated with medicines.
But knowing about the normal glucose level is a bit tricky. You need to be given proper clinical guidance and ways to manage diabetes. The individual target for managing the glucose level varies from person to person. However, maintaining a normal sugar level is necessary for good health.
This blog will let you know about the latest clinical guidance for maintaining the proper Glucose level after eating. Whether you are diabetic or not, you must go through the blog properly, as it contains some helpful tips for managing sugar levels.
What should be your normal blood sugar after eating?
It is extremely important to measure the blood sugar level post meals. After drinking or eating something, your blood sugar level, particularly known as lost prandial, needs to be checked. This determines the overall health of your body. The measure of glucose level post-meal will let you know whether you are diabetic or not.
| Adults having diabetes | <180 mg/dL (1 or 2 hours |
| Adults not have diabetes | <140 mg/dL |
| For children and adolescents | no particular recommendation, generally < 180 mg/dL |
| Pregnant women | < 120 (2 hours after food) < 140 (1 hour after food) |
As food intake increases the blood sugar level, it is recommended to check the higher end Glucose level rather than the full range marked before food.
Typically, before a meal, blood sugar levels must be between 80 to 130 mg/dL. After two hours of eating it should be less than 180 mg/dL.
After two hours of finishing your food, your blood sugar level must return to normal. However, the type of food you eat and drink and the amount of insulin doses make a difference in the postprandial effect.
After food
The postprandial glucose level varies from young to old men and from children to teens. Hyperglycemia, or high glucose content in the body, is very risky for adults.
Some people can’t recognize whether they are affected by hypoglycemia or not. According to the guidelines of ADA, you must intake less stringent glucose. Because these people are more likely to get hypoglycemia.
While clinical guidelines offer a consensus, the numbers provided do vary. In more recent years, most diabetes and medical organizations have encouraged personalized, individualized goals that may change based on many factorsTrusted Source beyond just the food you eat. Those other factors may include:
In recent years, the clinical organization for diabetes has focused on individual goals for normalizing the blood sugar level rise. Individual goals must be set which doesn’t only include food but also your lifestyle.
What are the Factors Affecting Diabetes?
There are several factors other than food habits that affect the rise of blood sugar levels in the body. Some possible factors are mentioned below:
- Age of the patients
- The type of diabetes
- Amount of insulin intake
- Persisting health complications. Diseases you may have had before.
- Other medicines are taken by you.
Importantly, there’s no “textbook definition” of what your blood sugars should be at any given time.
There is no specific definition of the amount of blood sugar level should be at any particular time. It is recommended to consult a doctor or target the range you should have post-meal at any time.
You need to use some trusted source tools to check your blood sugar level regularly.
Don’t stress a lot about blood sugar levels. They are just data and do not define your overall health condition. These points don’t indicate diabetes management or overall well-being.
Is a blood sugar level test important for non-diabetic individuals?
It is not necessary to carry out a blood sugar level test. However, it is advised to carry out a test if you are 35 years old or find any kind of symptoms. As per the studies you are prone to type 2 Diabetes after the age of 35.
If you have a family history of diabetes then you must go for the screening test sooner. If no diabetes risk is there then go for a checkup every 2 to 3 years. In case you get prediabetes, then do repeat testing to ensure the accurate number.
Symptoms of high or low blood sugar
- Symptoms like frequent urination, weight loss, blurred vision, and fatigue are a few symptoms of a blood sugar level hike.
- If you have any family history of type 1 diabetes, then you must do a routine check-up.
- Gestational diabetes is common in pregnant women. So it is advised to carry out blood sugar tests during pregnancy.
- Taking a longer-term medication can affect your blood sugar level.
Managing the blood sugar level can cure the extreme complications of diabetes. It also benefits in treating heart, kidney or nerve-related diseases.
Does food affect your blood sugar level?
The body has a natural mechanism to break down the foods you eat or drink. It absorbs the nutrients and converts the parts of food into sugar and energy. The body uses this energy for various purposes.
Foods like white bread with high starch content are rapidly digested, and they lead to a rise in blood sugar levels. Generally, food with low glycemic index has more fats, and proteins are digested slowly. Thus, it leads to a gradual increase in blood sugar levels. Having food intake with a high glycemic index or high starch content can be harmful to blood sugar health.
You get a quicker rise in your blood sugar level while taking orange juice or candy than eating a pizza slice of peanut butter. This is because of more starch content in orange juice and candy as compared to peanut butter or pizza slices.
Diabetes patients face difficulties as their bodies are not capable of producing insulin naturally to regulate their blood sugar levels. So, the Glucose levels of diabetes patients are higher as compared to others. If your body can produce insulin naturally for the food and drinks consumed by you then the level of blood sugar will not rise so high.
Go through the blog to learn more about the Blood Sugar level regulation in your body.
Can walking reduce the hike in blood sugar levels?
Yes, walking for at least 30 minutes a day might reduce the blood sugar level. However, combining walking with daily exercises and a proper diet is very important in maintaining the blood sugar level.
Walking, being an aerobic exercise helps the body to use glucose for energy, which leads to a decrease in the blood sugar level.
Regular walking is very helpful in improving insulin sensitivity. Your body starts using insulin more effectively to reduce the Blood Sugar level hike.
Having a walk after food, even for 10 minutes, prevents the rise in blood sugar levels. Consistency is the key to maintaining the blood sugar level. Combined with proper diet and exercise walking gives the best results in stabilising the blood sugar level.
Consult a doctor
If you are worried about your blood sugar level hike then immediately rush to the doctor.
Whether you are facing a high blood sugar level or a low blood sugar level after eating you must consult a doctor. There is a need for you to change your diet plan and you need a proper care plan. Health experts may suggest you change the insulin amounts for the food consumed by you. The insulin amount needs to be regulated in the body for proper absorption of food. Insulin amount adjustment can reduce the hike in blood sugar levels.
Do not make any proper consultation with health care experts.