More Readings.

[Autumn2020]

Sorry again for asking about BG readings, there will probably be lots of these posts from me over the next few weeks.

So this morning

BG = 6.6
Breakfast: Bran Flakes and Semi Skimmer/Hot Lemon
2 hours later BG = 7.5

So would I be right in thinking that I can handle a bowl of Bran Flakes?

Lunch Time

BG = 4.4
Dinner - Curry and Cauliflower rice
1 hour later BG = 7.2
Another hour later BG = 5.1

So at the hour mark, BG had risen by nearly 3 and from what I can gather it should be around 2 but the starter reading was the lowest I have had and the 7.2 still seems quite reasonable and then by the 2 hour mark BG was down to 5.1 So would this also seem OK?

Thank you

 

[ianf0ster]

Yes, in my opinion (and it is just that - an opinion), your system can handle both of those OK.

 

[silentsquirrel]

Looking great! Many will envy your Bran flakes readings, most couldn't handle that at all. Make sure you are aware of what the portion size was, a bigger bowlful might not give such good results.

Dinner also fine if you go with those who advise a rise of no more than 2 to 3, rather than the very strict limit of 2. And I have just noticed you tested after 1 hour, so actually by 2 hours well under.
Are you measuring from end of meal, or after start? It doesn't really matter, so long as you are consistent, but usually people mean 2 hours after first mouthful.

Not just OK, but really good! Keep asking, we don't mind.

 

[Autumn2020]

Thank you so much.

I actually had a double portion of bran flakes so quite a big bowl.

I measured right before I eat then exactly 1 hour later and 2 hours later. So does the 1 hour reading matter at all ? Or just the 2 hour reading ?

Thank you again for any replies, this forum is so helpful xx

 

[silentsquirrel]

If you can afford it for a while, testing at both will give you a better idea of when your peak is for various meals.. If the meal is very high fat, the peak may not be until well after 2 hours - a search on 'The Pizza Effect' may tell you more!

If the cost of testing is more of a consideration, be consistent, probably 2 hours after start will be the most helpful overall.

 

[Autumn2020]

Thank you. So if it was really high after one hour but came down after 2...would that mean I can not handle what I eat ? Or is the 2 hour more important? X

 

[silentsquirrel]

Not sure - opinions vary a lot on this! If you eat something high GI, you can expect a much greater spike at 1 hour, or even earlier. How much harm a higher level that doesn't last long does is debateable.

 

[rebrascora]

In my opinion, the 2 hour mark is more important because if you are spiking higher at one hour, the fact that you have come down to a reasonable level at 2 hours suggests that your body is coping with the carbs. You are not necessarily looking for the highest point of the spike in BG but that your body has coped well with it within the 2 hour period.
As has been mentioned, if it was a high fat or high protein meal then that can slow the digestion down, so it might still be going upwards at 2 hours and remain high for several hours afterwards so checking at 3 hours and before next meal would show you if your system coped OK with that.

 

[leonS]

You must expect your readings to rise before they fall. It is the way that things work. Insulin is produced in response to a rise in BG, so BG has to go up before anything can happen.

The test is does it come down again? Where they are after an hour (say) is not as important as where they finish.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Quite early on in my forum dwelling, I read posts about first phase and second phase insulin which sounded quite like this.

Apparently in some people the first phase insulin response becomes impaired so BG can rise steeply in the first hour after eating, but then the second phase insulin reduces BG levels when that kicks in.

Perhaps something like that is happening in your case?