How to Test Blood Sugar After Meals

Blood sugar monitoring is the key to controlling diabetes. After-meal testing is one of the most important numbers because it tracks how the food you are eating is affecting your blood sugar. You can use these numbers to adjust your diet accordingly. The process is simple and effective, and establishing a regular routine is imperative. Be sure to adhere to the proper time interval for after-meal testing for correct and consistent results.

Things You'll Need

• Blood glucose test meter
• Meter testing strips
• Blood sugar level chart

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Instructions

• 1

  Wait the required period after your meal to test your blood sugar level. If you test too soon or too late the results will shift. Consistent testing at the same time period after every meal is important to have accurate results.

• 2

  Lay out the test meter, meter strips and device used to pick the finger for the blood sample.

• 3

  Wash your hands thoroughly. Dry them well so moisture does not affect the test results or dampen the meter test strip.

• 4

  Insert the test strip into the meter. Check to be sure the meter is ready to read the blood sample and no error codes are showing.

• 5

  Prick your finger and collect the blood sample. Wait the required period for the blood sample to be read. If the results seem incorrect, do a second test sample to compare.

• 6

  Record your results on your blood sugar tracking chart. Compare to previous levels to see if there is any inconsistency.Be sure to report any irregularities to your doctor immediately.