Blood sugar, also known as glucose, is essential for overall health. It fluctuates throughout the day, affecting how we feel and our long-term well-being. Let’s explore what’s normal and how food impacts blood sugar levels:
- Normal Blood Sugar Levels After Eating:
- After a meal, your target blood sugar level depends on factors like age, diabetes type, insulin use, and pregnancy status.
- Standard ranges for post-meal blood glucose levels:
- Adults without diabetes: 90-140 mg/dL, two hours after eating.
- Adults with diabetes (not using mealtime insulin): Under 140 mg/dL, two hours after eating.
- Adults with diabetes (using mealtime insulin): Under 180 mg/dL, two hours after eating.
- Pregnant adults with gestational diabetes: Under 140 mg/dL one hour after eating, and 120 mg/dL two hours after eating.
- Pregnant adults with preexisting type 1 or type 2 diabetes: Under 110-140 mg/dL one hour after eating, and under 100-120 mg/dL two hours after eating.
- Children and teens under 18 with diabetes: Under 200 mg/dL one hour after eating, and under 180 mg/dL two hours after eating¹.
- How Food Affects Blood Sugar Levels:
- When you eat, your body breaks down food into carbohydrates (often called “carbs”), proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
- Carbs have the most significant impact on blood sugar. They fall into three categories:
- Sugars (simple carbohydrates): Found in fruits, baked goods, juices, and processed foods.
- Starches (complex carbohydrates): Present in starchy vegetables, rolled oats, chickpeas, and barley.
- Fiber (non-digestible carbohydrates): Found in whole grains, avocados, apples, beans, and broccoli.
- Simple carbohydrates break down quickly into glucose, affecting blood sugar levels.
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