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Blood glucose >>> less than two hours after a meal

sterling

Well-Known Member
Messages
161
Location
Centre of England
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Can a spike which appears during the intervening period between the start of a meal and two hours after it be ignored completely?

For instance, let's say that my meter readings are as follows:

Before breakfast >>> 6.8
one after breakfast >>> 12.1
one and a half hours after breakfast >>> 10.1
two hours after breakfast >>> 5.6

Can the 12.1 and the 10.1 be regarded as being of no danger and no relevance?

Now let's suppose the readings all as follows:

Before breakfast >>> 6.8
two hours after breakfast >>> 10.6
2 and a half hours after breakfast >>> 6.0

Is the 10.6 now critically damaging?

How does the 2 hour demarkation point affect health?
 
That's quite a grey area at the moment. We had a discussion about this a few months ago and I believe its an area that is not well understood. What has been shown is a very broad statement that people who have less spikey levels have sightly better outcomes than those who are spikey even if the spikey ones end up with a slightly less HbA1c (yes that can occur) than the non spikey people.

So it comes down to a personal view of risk in my opinion. Me? Nope wouldn't accept a double digit reading. I aim for less than 7.8 after 1 hours and less than 6.5 after two BUT that is me. That is probably too safe but it keeps me happy.
 
xyzzy said:
So it comes down to a personal view of risk in my opinion. Me? Nope wouldn't accept a double digit reading. I aim for less than 7.8 after 1 hours and less than 6.5 after two BUT that is me. That is probably too safe but it keeps me happy.
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I agree. I think I would have apoplexy with a double digit reading, I like low and safe.
 
Agree with the above posters. Aspike in double figures is not something I would find acceptable. My usual 1 hr is around 7ish and no more than 7 after 2 hrs. Sometimes I stick within that limit I have set myself, sometimes it strays just outside. I dont lose too much sleep if it hits 8 or so but that is not the norm.

I think spikes whenever they occur possibly may have a detrimental effect but as has been said earlier there is some debate as to how much, if any detriment it actually does when it is only occasional spikes. IMHO I dont think the odd one does any harm. Its the spikes that become the norm that can cause problems.
 
What wouldn't I give for Sterling's first set of figures, i.e., 6.8 down to 5.6 after 2 hrs. In my case I always commence the day before b'fast between 7.1 and 8.0 and, today for example, 7.1 but 11.4 after two hours (was 11.7) yesterday!!!! I have to wait for between 5 and 6 hours before an acceptable level of between 4.6 and 4.9 is achieved. Last week the figure was a frightening
12.4+ - I wonder what xyzzy's opinion is about this - I am due to see specialist on Friday. I should add that my breakfast consists of 2 x Weetbix (Weetabix in UK) with low fat milk and a sliced (NOT overripe) banana.
 
Thank you all for the responses.

My before breakfast measurement is always in the range 7.0 to 8.0. Always after three hours it falls back to 5.5 to 6.5. So the sole critical point in the day is up to 2 hours after breakfast when I may get some double figure readings. I will need to focus in on this timeslot now to try to understand what is going on.
 

I'm afraid your breakfast would send my readings through the roof. I haven't checked, but I would think there are more carbs in your breakfast than I sometimes eat in a whole day! Have you tried a protein breakfast? I have a 2-egg omelette every day, cooked in butter, which lasts me through to my lunch-time salad. Or you could try full-fat unsweetened yoghurt, with berries and/or a few nuts and seeds.

I don't know what you have available locally, but it's worth trying a much lower carb option and testing to see what happens. It might make a huge difference.

Let us know how you go on.

Viv 8)
 
Two weetabix are 26g of carbs a banana is 19g of carbs (approx). That kind of breakfast would make me feel ill all day, and my figures would rocket. Like Viv said, that is more carbs than I have in a day, actually as a ultra low carber, more than I have in two days.

There are lots of breakfast idea's, Viv's omelette, bacon and eggs, scrambled egg, some people can manage small amounts of granola (I can't sadly).

Have a look in the low carb food forum, there are all kinds of low carb recipe's in there, and it will make a huge difference.
 
Dear Viv and Defren,

I truly thought that I was eating the healthiest possible breakfast. Individually, the wheat and low fat milk are on all the 'safe items' lists that I have read. I have studied both of your suggestions and just worry a little about the fact that you both suggest eggs which, in moderation, should be ok but 14 per week? Makes me think about cholesterol (am on 10mg Simvastin) which has
always been perfect. My problem here in Indonesia is that I do not enjoy local food, much of which cotains rice which is a 'no no' for diabetics I am told. I do sometimes have brown rice in an occasional curry however. I have never studied food - being lucky in that it does not interest me like some of the poor members here who are suffering severe deprivation. I realise that you both may not be suggesting that I have two eggs every day but, with so little choice to me here (as a diabetic) I am at a
loss as what to do for the best BUT I will study and try to learn from the Low Carb Forum and will come back to you to let you know how I fare. It was so nice to receive two such helpful suggestions - thankyou again.
 
Hi Rob

I am indeed suggesting you have 14 eggs a week! Only if you like them, of course, and are not allergic

The eggs=cholesterol scare has been revised over here, "unlimited eggs" is now allowed. The cholesterol they contain is not considered "bad" any more.

As far as I understand it, from other people's posts on here, only about 20% of our blood cholesterol comes from our diets. The rest is manufactured by the liver; it's this function that the statins interfere with.

The best lipid profile I ever had was after 18 months on Atkins Induction, eating less than 30g of carb per day. If I eat too many carbs my cholesterol level goes up, particularly the triglycerides. Contrary to conventional teaching, I know, but that's my experience. I had a bad experience with Simvastatin (muscle pains); now I won't take statins at all.

You could try a continental breakfast - cold meats and cheese, with perhaps a hard-boiled egg. Or salad - I sometimes eat chicken salad for breakfast. Once you get your head round the idea, it's really delicious, and cool and fresh in hot weather.

Try avoiding carbs at breakfast for a week, and see what happens to your BG readings.

I'm an ultra-low carber, like Defren. The diet I use is in the 'Sticky Thread' section on here - Viv's Modified Atkins Diet. I've got my BGs under control now, I haven't been out of the non-diabetic range for many weeks now, and I'm usually in the high 4s and low to mid 5s. I still have a lot of weight to lose, so I'm still doing severe carb restriction for that. If you don't want to go that low with your carbs, add in a few more until you get to the level you want.

The other way would be to try portion control - ONE weetabix, and no banana, and see what that does. Personally, I find protein more filling and it lasts longer .

Let us know how you go on!

Viv 8)
 
I can't add anything to what Viv has said. She is right about eggs, once blamed as a contributor to high cholesterol, they are now seen as a healthy and nutritious addition to our diet. 2 a day certainly will do you more good than weetabix Another good breakfast is a small handful of berry's, blueberry's, strawberry's, raspberry's with a good helping of Greek yogurt. There is a recipe for Oopsie's in the food forum, make a bacon sandwich, or have them toasted. I posted a recipe for low carb sausage McMuffins, and others have played with the recipe to open it up, they can be frozen, so are useful in the morning.

It's all about changing mindset, meat and salad can be a good breakfast, bacon and eggs a good dinner. Food has been in effect assigned a specific meal, but that doesn't have to be the case.
 

Sorry Rob only just saw this. Agree with Viv and Defren. Weetabix and Banana not good. I'm no expert on breakfast. It's the one meal I never enjoy and I went years without having it. My son insisted I started eating something for breakfast after my diagnosis as he told me it was the quickest way to lower BG's that get raised because of the Dawn Phenomenon (DP) overnight. He suggested just a small amount of plain yoghurt with a small amount of berries mixed in. The "feory" is that the sugar in the berries will be quite fast acting and kick start your body into action. Worked for me but you end up eating a very minimalist breakfast so if you like a decent amount of food to start the day with then I would go for an omlette or even bacon and egg (not every day) and maybe follow that with the yoghurt and berries. It really is a small amount so 50g of plain Greek yoghurt with say 4 to 6 raspberries or 1 or 2 strawberries (around 25g of fruit). All in all amounts to just a few teaspoons of yoghurt and remember because the fruit does have sugar it will cause a spike. The knack IS to create that spike but not make it too big.
 
Dear Viv, Defren and xyzzy,

Quite despondent today - nearly gave up bothering. What with 'tree trunk' legs to go to bed with (result perhaps of kidney misbehaviour) blurred vision for four days and now having to really make a drastic change. Having been a widower since
1995 I have tried to eat sensibly and have always eaten low fat foods, fruit, brown bread, chicken every meal (since I am
not the cook my dear departed was), mild cheese, potatoes, tomatoes, bananas (only since being in Indonesia for 5 years tho'). Having been born just before the War I was brought up on basic rations which has made it difficult to eat the more exotic foods some of you mention - nuts and berries spring to mind - as I grew up with a bland palate. I just cannot stand nuts or strong tasting fruits. I asked a local lady what berries were available in the local mini-mart and she did not know. Most of the veg have names I cannot pronounce - looks as if I will have to experiment for some while. I will let you all know how I get on.
 

Don't despair, we will all help you. If it's a blander diet you need then I am sure we can help you formulate one that is also easily cooked. Chicken and cheese are fine, we just need a few more idea's of things you like and we can try to suggest some meals for you. Come on, if your survived the war, you can survive this.
 
Bob, don't get down. By the looks of things you're not far off... You just have to remember the "bad-uns", spuds, white bread, rice, pasta and most breakfast cereals. Just cut down on them and up the chicken or whatever meat, veg, eggs and cheese and you'll be well away. If you want to do my yoghurt thing then just get some plain old fashioned strawberry or raspberry yoghurt. If you buy the local veg and don't know what it is I'd try buying ones that look like they grow above ground rather than those that grew below ground.

I know exactly what you mean by "bland palate" my mum was the same and in her later years had the same problem you seem to have with her legs. Do you take any pills for that as mum did? She lived with me and the wife for a number of years before she died last year. She had exactly the same thing about the things we ate so it's purely a generation thing.

Keep asking questions Bob. Any chance you could upload some pics or describe where you live as it sounds really exotic and interesting to me!

Take care mate and keep asking questions.
 
Rob, many of the local fruits should not cause too much of a spike ( eaten in moderation). I don't get spikes from papaya, dragonfruit, mangosteen, rambutan ( none of which are strongly flavoured). Maybe try some of them and test your reaction. Banana...no.
cheers
 
Dear Paul_melb,

Sounds as if you are somewhere in S/E Asia also? Thankyou so much I, of course, have had papaya, but now it is time to test them all against BG. Funny thing tho' about bananas - they grow them here in Indonesia but more often than not they are either very green and solid as rocks (sometimes never ripening) or so far gone (overripe) that even I know they are not fit for diabetics. You have beaten my defeatest attitude - thx
 

Don't despair, Rob - it's always difficult when someone turns your ideas on what is right, completely on their head!

I remember when I first went low-carb (before being diagnosed diabetic) - I'd been such a good girl, eating very low fat/high carb, and couldn't understand why the weight kept piling on :shock: . I decided to try Atkins on the grounds that it couldn't kill me any quicker than I was already killing myself, so I gave it a go.

I well remember the sheer mental effort of getting a piece of pork chop with the fat on into my mouth :shock: :lol: I almost had to force it in - I hadn't realised how brain-washed I'd become.

I lost 15lb in the first two weeks, and that was all the motivation I needed to keep me going. I'd got 5stone 7lbs off and then moved house amd had to rehome my dogs. The carbs came straight back in, I just could not get back on the diet, and 5 years later that 5 stone was back - and more! And I was diabetic, and in denial.

Back on the diet immediately, 2 years later the 5 stone is gone again, as is the fluid retention in my legs. I've been taken off BP meds 'cos I don't need them any more, my cholesterol is acceptable (would be fine for a non-diabetic), and I haven't had a BG reading outside non-diabetic levels for months - definitely since mid-January.

Giv it a go - you'll be surprised how good it makes you feel, physically and mentally, when you get the feeling of being completely in control

Viv 8)
 
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