Keeping your blood glucose levels within your target range is essential to living a healthy life with diabetes, which is why monitoring them is so important. If your levels are too low, you might become weak and unable to function properly. But if they’re consistently high, you can create lasting damage to your body and overall health.
Watching what and how much you eat is key to managing your blood glucose levels. Consuming excessive amounts of carbohydrates in a single meal can create a large blood glucose spike, so it’s better to eat smaller portions at consistent times throughout the day instead of binging all at once.
Your target blood glucose range should be defined by your doctor. However, a general target range for a person with diabetes is 70-130 when fasting and under 180 two hours after a meal. To get the most accurate picture of your general blood glucose levels, it’s a good habit to test your levels before eating (typically your lowest levels) and then again two hours after your meal (typically your highest levels).
Whenever you test your levels, it’s also helpful to log your results and bring them to your doctor so that they can provide you with the best care possible. Make an appointment with your Primary Care Provider to discuss the best ways to manage your diabetes.