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About Blood Sugar Levels After Meals

Blood sugar levels after meals rise because food breaks down into sugar called glucose. The blood vessels carry the sugar throughout the body. Normally, the pancreas produces insulin that moves the sugar into the body's cells. When the insulin is not working correctly, more sugar stays in the blood, causing higher blood sugar levels.

  1. After a Meal

    • After a meal, blood sugar levels may rise to 140 milligrams per deciliter even if you are not diabetic. A diabetic's level may rise to 180 mg/dL or more.

    Carbohydrates

    • Carbohydrates start changing to sugar within 15 minutes of consumption and continue to change for two hours after eating, causing blood sugar levels to rise.

    Considerations

    • To keep blood sugar levels stable, diabetics should eat approximately the same amount of carbohydrates at each meal. Fat should be limited because it causes blood sugar levels to stay high.

    Significance

    • Dietitians suggest between 30 to 50 grams of carbohydrates per meal, depending upon the age and sex of the individual. Too many carbohydrates can cause spikes, which do not return to normal levels quickly.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Balanced meals help blood sugar levels to start to return to normal within two hours after eating. There is no set time when levels will return to normal.

    Pre-Meal

    • Pre-meal blood sugar levels are between 70 and 100. For a diabetic, the span is increased to between 70 and 130.

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