Carb counting and correction doses are essential for good diabetes management.
Also, if you eat meals close together - you'll more than likely end up with higher spikes.
Your pre-prandial BG should ideally be in your chosen range before starting a meal. If I had a BG of 11.4mmol/L, I'd correct it and put off eating until it had come down to somewhere between 4-7mmol/L.