I was wondering if blood glucose should be at a certain number or below before eating?
I guess it would be common sense not to eat if my blood sugar was over 140 b/c that’s my PP target?
I’m just starting to feel confused about all this . . .
Yes, I aim to be under 140. If I am over 140, I try to eat a no carb snack. But I will admit that I sometimes eat even when I’m higher.
Hi Sweeter,
Why would you not eat if your blood sugar is 140, it is meal time and you are hungry? Blood sugars come up and go down all day long. it depends on a number of factors. Are you taking meds? Has anyone talked to you about diet and exercise? There are a lot of things you can eat that don’t significantly raise your blood sugar First of all, a target level isn’t the only thing you need to learn. You need someone to talk to you about your diet, any meds and exercise goals.and also talk about blood sugar levels. Without these guidelines there is no way to keep things in control. Skipping meals only messes up your metabolism I don’t know when you were diagnosed but the first thing I would do is talk to the doctor and get the rest of the people lined up you need to talk to and get a plan set up for you We will be happy to help in any way we can and we will all be here to support you along the way. The best of luck to you.
I saw in your profile you are taking shots, so you can take a little extra fast-acting insulin as a correction along with your insulin you are taking to cover the meal. Ask your doctor how much extra to take. I also would take the insulin at least 15 minutes before eating. Good luck, I wish I could just have one day when I stayed below 140.
For some reason, I seem to forget that there are food with no carbs. I guess when I think “eat,” I think “carbs” LOL.
thank you very much. I am on Glucovance and Humalog 75/25. Actually I was diagnosed with Type 2 nearly a decade ago but pretty much lived in a state of denial until recently. I suspect that turning 40 in December (and finding out my A1c is 11.2 [gulp]) made me think about my health a bit more. Anyway, I am starting to have questions about various things and plan to start another post with more questions.
Yes, I am taking shots but I’m not sure it’s the right type of insulin that I can take to cover carbs for meals? It’s 75/25 Humalog, which is my understand is a mix of fast acting and intermediate? I will ask my endo about what I can do. thank you.
Hi Sweeter
I think you are really on the right track. And i am sure your endo will help you get things sorted out. Being in denial probably helped you to handle getting the diagnosis But now you are ready and questioning things is good. You have the right attitude and all of us will be here to help you. The problems are not insurmountable, they are definitely workable. Good luck to you.
Most Type 1s who use insulin use some sort of sliding scale of extra fast-acting insulin if their blood sugar is above a target range or a specific target value. For instance, my target value before meals is 100, so I will take the extra insulin if I am over that value by even a smidgen. On a pump, you can take tiny increments, which is what I do. On shots, you’re generally given some kind of scale like “__ units for every 50 mg/dL over 150” or something like that (that’s what I used to do). I know you’re not a T1, but I would talk to your doctor about your own personal fasting target ranges and the possible use of a sliding scale.
As far as eating or not eating if your blood glucose value is out of range, like Kristin, I try to wait until my blood sugar is lower or wait until my insulin has been on board for 45min or more if I’m too high to safely eat the meal I’ve planned. But of course sometimes I cave and eat the thing I want to eat regardless. But I always wish I’d waited. It’s hard to control post-prandial spikes if you START OUT higher than you want your sugars to go.
It’s my understanding that, in the long run, it’s important to keep a pretty regular meal/snack schedule. I don’t think skipping meals is a good idea. But as others have said, when it’s high, there are plenty of low-carb things to eat.