-
Guest, the forum is undergoing some upgrades and so the usual themes will be unavailable for a few days. In the meantime, you can use the forum like normal. We'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »
test meter
- Thread starter kathy2363
- Start Date
Hi Kathy, and welcome.
I don't do anything clever with my meter - just stick the strip in, prick my finger, apply the blood to the strip and make a note of the reading. Some people store the readings, or download them and make spreadsheets and graphs, but that's beyond me, I'm afraid!
As you are new to testing, it's best to test first thing in the morning (even before a shower and a cup of tea), just before and two hours after every meal, and last thing at night. As a general rule of thumb, your reading two hours after eating should be coming down to the same level as it was just before you ate. Don't be surprised if it takes some time to get control.
Make a note of what you eat at every meal, and you'll soon see which foods make your blood sugars spike and which you're okay with. If things like cereal, bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, make your levels go high, try reducing the portion size or even cutting them out altogether. Some people can eat fruit - I can eat some summer fruits, berries etc, but not bananas or the very sweet fruits like grapes. We are all different!
It's the carbohydrates in food (sugars are carbohydrates too!) that make your blood sugar spike, so controlling your carb intake usually helps get control of your blood sugars.
Have a read around the forum - there's plenty of good advice on here. Don't be afraid to ask questions; there are a lot of very experienced people around, who will do their best to help you. We were all beginners once!
Viv 8)
I don't do anything clever with my meter - just stick the strip in, prick my finger, apply the blood to the strip and make a note of the reading. Some people store the readings, or download them and make spreadsheets and graphs, but that's beyond me, I'm afraid!
As you are new to testing, it's best to test first thing in the morning (even before a shower and a cup of tea), just before and two hours after every meal, and last thing at night. As a general rule of thumb, your reading two hours after eating should be coming down to the same level as it was just before you ate. Don't be surprised if it takes some time to get control.
Make a note of what you eat at every meal, and you'll soon see which foods make your blood sugars spike and which you're okay with. If things like cereal, bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, make your levels go high, try reducing the portion size or even cutting them out altogether. Some people can eat fruit - I can eat some summer fruits, berries etc, but not bananas or the very sweet fruits like grapes. We are all different!
It's the carbohydrates in food (sugars are carbohydrates too!) that make your blood sugar spike, so controlling your carb intake usually helps get control of your blood sugars.
Have a read around the forum - there's plenty of good advice on here. Don't be afraid to ask questions; there are a lot of very experienced people around, who will do their best to help you. We were all beginners once!
Viv 8)
HI Kathy and welcome,
Hope you are ok. I agree with viv doing regular test as this will give you an idea of what level suits you.
I can eat banana's as a good carbohydrate but remember we are all different.
I have had diabetes since i was 6yrs old and am know 42. I have a few complications but this was partly to ignorance. All i would like to say is keep to what your doctor/consultant or diabetic sister if you have one, as it is important, but try not to let it rule your life but take a good look over this web site and you will find a lot of info.
Please feel free to ask any questions. I look at messages every few hours or at least once a day.
Take care, look after yourself
tracey
Hope you are ok. I agree with viv doing regular test as this will give you an idea of what level suits you.
I can eat banana's as a good carbohydrate but remember we are all different.
I have had diabetes since i was 6yrs old and am know 42. I have a few complications but this was partly to ignorance. All i would like to say is keep to what your doctor/consultant or diabetic sister if you have one, as it is important, but try not to let it rule your life but take a good look over this web site and you will find a lot of info.
Please feel free to ask any questions. I look at messages every few hours or at least once a day.
Take care, look after yourself
tracey
