Do you ever check your blood sugar and feel unsure about what to do with the results? Do you check your blood sugar every day at the same times but consistently see different numbers? After years of research, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has set some guidelines for your blood sugar levels.
What Should My Numbers Be Before and After Meals?
- Before meals: 80-130 mg/dL
- 2 hours after the first bite of a meal: Less than 180 mg/dL
Some people may require tighter control of their blood sugar and should aim for the lower end of these ranges. However, depending on your age, health conditions, social and environmental factors, and other considerations, tight glucose control could be dangerous. Please consult your healthcare provider to determine what blood glucose goals are most appropriate for you.
Tips to Better Understand Your Glucometer Results:
- Log your results into the Unified Care app and try to identify any factors that might affect your blood glucose, such as types of food, exercise, schedule, stress, or sleep.
- Review and compare your results at similar times on different days or during similar activities by tapping the "Health" button at the bottom of the app screen. You can view your results in a graph format by tapping on any of the values.
- If your blood glucose levels are consistently high after eating the same food, consider reducing the carbohydrate portion of that meal or opting for a more stable, higher-fiber carbohydrate.
- If your blood glucose levels are stable and within the normal range after a particular exercise, consider incorporating this exercise into your routine regularly.
- Ask your healthcare provider when you should contact them to report out-of-range results.
Hopefully, this post clears up some confusion about how to use your glucose results to manage your diabetes. If you have any questions, reach out to your care team—they're here to help!