What Is a Safe Level of Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes?

Blood sugar levels must maintain a daily equilibrium in the life of a diabetic. A type 2 diabetic may or may not use insulin, but he may just need to take oral medication. A type 2 diabetic must rely on a balanced, low-sugar diet to control his diabetes.

• Cinnamon buns might not fit in a diabetic's diet.

Highs and Lows

• A diabetic is not barred from eating any kind of sugar. He can eat small amounts. Large amounts day in and day out can throw his body off kilter, though. He must monitor his intake to prevent complications from diabetes.

Standards Across the Globe

• A safe level of glucose, or sugar in the blood, is 70 to 100 mg/dl (milliliters over deciliters) by U.S. standards. A safe level of glucose is 4 to 7 mmol/L (millimoles over liters) by Canadian standards. Most countries either use milliliters over deciliters or millimoles over liters.

Recommended Daily Allowance

• The most that doctors recommend for their patients is 300 grams per day of sugar/carbohydrates, or 45 percent to 65 percent of daily total calories.

Some People Need Less

• Some diabetics can consume only 120 grams of sugar per day. Other people can survive with 180 to 200 grams per day.

Working With a Doctor

• It all depends on the trial and error of the doctor working with his patient to get the right dosage of insulin or oral medication and/or the right diet to promote a healthy eating lifestyle.