Testing after meals

[LincolnLizzie]

I am finding that if I test after two hours might BG is often a bit high, whereas after three hours I am back within target range. Does this matter? Doc says no, but I would like to be reassured by your expertise fellow diabetics.

Just like to say this forum has transformed the way I feel and can cope with my diabetes, just wish I had found it years ago.

Hba1c now reducing nicely despite being away for 10 weeks!

Thank yu

 

[ally1]

It could be what you are eating

 

[Mike d]

I am finding that if I test after two hours might BG is often a bit high, whereas after three hours I am back within target range. Does this matter? Doc says no, but I would like to be reassured by your expertise fellow diabetics.

Just like to say this forum has transformed the way I feel and can cope with my diabetes, just wish I had found it years ago.

Hba1c now reducing nicely despite being away for 10 weeks!

Thank yu

Depends on the figures (the range), but food and testing at 2 as well as 3 hours is not a bad idea ... initially at least. If you drop back @ 2 hours and get some consistency in those numbers, that is good. Your doc is probably right in my opinion. You still need to record @ 1 hour as well so you can graph the rise and the fall. That is, right before your first bite, then 1, 2 and 3 hours.

Get a pattern going and know reactions

 

[AndBreathe]

@LincolnLizzie - It's not really possible to give too much guidance based on the information you have given, because without what those readings are (usually), what your target range is, what you reach at that 3 hour point, and what you have eaten it's all a bit too high level - for me anyway.

I noticed somewhere else you're also trimming back on the carbs, so that will all be helping. Do you count your carbs actively, or just estimate, based on your eye and a chart?

Welcome aboard. It sounds like you're grasping control of this thing, and that is to be commended.

 

[LincolnLizzie]

I really can't count carbs for every meal so I do an odd day here and there to check I am getting it roughly right. The highest carb intake for a day was 93.5 - and I'm pretty sure it was the corn on the cob which sent it up to 8.1. Generally when this happens I go up to a max of 8.4, so compared with where I was 3 months ago which could have been as high as 16, so big improvement there (and one memorable occasion when it was 26!)

I eat very little processed or pre-made food, I do spend a lot of time in the kitchen and eat healthily. Trying now to cut down on portion sizes and the amount of oil I use.

I have an Excel spreadsheet where I log everything I eat (not drink as I only drink peppermint tea and water). If I have a glass of wine, very rare, I will log that. I also put my readings down on the spreadsheet so I can see any pattern. I guess it is early days yet.

I am not going to go lchf as it really doesn't fit me, but I am trying to keep to between 50 and 75 carbs a day.

Can anyone recommend a good book to support carb counting?

Thanks for all your support guys.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I also keep all my records on a spread sheet, and still do even after more than 2 years. It's a good way to learn and also to keep you on the waggon.

The book I use, and find very good, is Carbs & Cals from Amazon. (also sold as an app). It contains thousands of colour photos of every day food stuff, served up on a plate, and in different portion sizes. Each one has the weight, total carb content, plus protein, fat, fiber and calories.

 

[donnellysdogs]

I even write out every recipe I use to make my Smoothies or Soup.. Up until today I just counted 3 handful of spinach but today I've started back weighing the weight of even 10 strawberries again and recording it again!!
I stupidly go further and write down fibre and protein as well.. Just to make sure I get the right amount for me of fibre and for ny weight of protein...
Within a week I'll be able to be less strict again.
I am T1 but I think it is important to still find foods that have less rises 2-3 hours after meals.
I use a carbs n cals smoothie book as well. Still doesn't stop me having to weigh everything though!
It does get easier as you learn how many blueberries are enough.....

 

[pleinster]

I really can't count carbs for every meal so I do an odd day here and there to check I am getting it roughly right. The highest carb intake for a day was 93.5 - and I'm pretty sure it was the corn on the cob which sent it up to 8.1. Generally when this happens I go up to a max of 8.4, so compared with where I was 3 months ago which could have been as high as 16, so big improvement there (and one memorable occasion when it was 26!)

I eat very little processed or pre-made food, I do spend a lot of time in the kitchen and eat healthily. Trying now to cut down on portion sizes and the amount of oil I use.

I have an Excel spreadsheet where I log everything I eat (not drink as I only drink peppermint tea and water). If I have a glass of wine, very rare, I will log that. I also put my readings down on the spreadsheet so I can see any pattern. I guess it is early days yet.

I am not going to go lchf as it really doesn't fit me, but I am trying to keep to between 50 and 75 carbs a day.

Can anyone recommend a good book to support carb counting?

Thanks for all your support guys.

Hi Lizzie. You say you're not going to do the LCHF thing...but 50-75g carbs a day is pretty low if you ask me...so well done. I aim for under 30g a day but often find ice-lollies, even bran flakes or stray bits of pizza getting in the way (sneaky b@st@£ds that they are). Personally, I am in the slow same boat as you in relation to post meal readings. Generally, I now test before and 2.5-3 hours after..as most of the time 2 hours later is bit to quick for my system. The 2 hours thing is a general guideline for Type 2s, but our systems are, after all, variations on a theme. I agree with your doctor as does the diabetic specialist I met with to discuss my diet, my diabetes and my post-transplant situation in relation to it all. If your blood sugar 4-7mmols before a meal and less than 2.5 mmols higher (ideally well below 8.5mmols) 3 hours later (if that is the regular time it takes for your system) then it's not an issue of any real significance...and you should treat it the same way a more average system deals with a reading after 2 hours. I have found that if my level is under 5.8 before dinner..I can shove a bit of pizza and wine in and still be under 7 inside a reasonable period. Sometimes 2 hours is enough but usually its a wee bit more for me.

 

[TooManyCrisps]

I also keep all my records on a spread sheet, and still do even after more than 2 years. It's a good way to learn and also to keep you on the waggon.

The book I use, and find very good, is Carbs & Cals from Amazon. (also sold as an app). It contains thousands of colour photos of every day food stuff, served up on a plate, and in different portion sizes. Each one has the weight, total carb content, plus protein, fat, fiber and calories.

The carb and cals app is brilliant, you can devise meals and adjust the carbs and protein, it will also save everything in a diary so you can track what you're eating. I use mine every day, and it is so easy to use.

 

[LincolnLizzie]

Hi TooManyCrisps. Is the app for iPads/phones or is it android. I've looked for it and couldn't identify it, can you help please? I've ordered the book already - a bit of light bedtime reading, but it sounds as though the app will be very useful to have with me. Thanks

 

[Sirmione]

The type of carbohydrate makes a big difference to when blood glucose readings start to rise. and how long the rises lasts.
I find a delayed action long lasting rise in blood glucose with starchy carbs.where as simple sugars give a short sharp rise.
Eating real Italian icecream has less effect on my blood glucose level than even a few corn chips.