Hi Lesley, it's great that you're testing, but you need to know what it is you're trying to achieve
As a type 2, my main purpose was to find out what I could eat and what I couldn't without getting blood sugar levels (BGs) too high.
I therefore tested lots to start with, testing mainly 2 hours after eating various meals. Guidelines say your BG should be back down below 7.8 by then (could have been higher earlier), so if it's above 7.8 you know that something in that meal needs to go or be reduced; the starchy carbohydrates that is!
Everyone reacts differently to different foods cooked in different ways, and eaten at different times, which is why you need to test loads to start. Further down the line, I don't test very often because I know how different foods affect me, and what I can/can't eat. I maintain ok levels (but want to improve) on 150 to 180 grams of carbs a day. Others have to go lower on the amount of carbs. I can eat lots of carbs (cereals) at breakfast and be fine, others have to go carb free then and have eggs, ham etc. There again, I can't eat many carbs in the evening whereas others are fine. So test and test. Don't worry if you don't get below 7.8 to start; it takes a while for your body to settle down. Just keep adjusting that plate. Don't worry too much (in my opinion) about fasting BGs to start; they are a general guide to how you're going, but what you need now is specific info on the affect of foods.
Hope it helps, and keep asking!
