Q&A: Ideal Blood Sugar Levels

I received the following question from FOODPICKER.ORG:

"I have diabetes, and my blood sugar is all over the map. Could you please tell me the ideal blood sugar level?" -Susan R.

Susan, congrats to you on taking an interest in controlling your blood sugar levels. This is an important step in diabetes management, as a prolonged uncontrolled blood glucose level can result in many complications, including damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and cardiovascular system.

Blood glucose recommendations for a person without diabetes are the following:

fasting/before eating: less than 100 mg/dl

at bedtime: 120 mg/dl

A1c test (blood sugar test taken every 3 months): less than 6%

Since a person with diabetes may have higher blood sugar levels resulting from lack of insulin production or insensitivity to insulin, the guidelines for diabetes aim to control high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia).

The American Association of Diabetes recommends the following blood sugar goals for a person with diabetes:

before eating: 90-130 mg/dl

1-2 hrs after beginning of eating: less than 180 mg/dl

A1c test: less than 7%

The guidelines of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (MD's specializing in disorders including diabetes) are similar:

before eating: 110 mg/dl

2 hrs after eating: 140 mg/dl

A1c test: less than 6.5%

It is important to remember that these goals are general guidelines, and the goals of each individual may vary with age, stress level, etc. It is important to discuss your own goals with your doctor or a Certified Diabetes Educator.

Peace, Love, and Veggies,

Bee

Signing In

Hello! I am Brittany Louise, or, for all blogging purposes, Bee.

I'm completely interested in all things health, nutrition, or fitness related. I earned my BS from the University of Illinois with a degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition, and am currently working to become a Registered Dietitian by completing my dietetic internship at a hospital just outside of Chicago.

(Blah, blah, blah...) Basically, I know what I'm talking about, and if I don't, I'll know where to get the answer. [Future] Dietitian's Honor.

One cool aspect of nutrition is that recommendations and guidelines are always being formed based on results of new research. The downside to this is that it can be hard to stay "in the know." As if things weren't complicated enough, we are all bombarded daily with nutrition mis-information, "nutritionist" book authors, and diet fads running rampant in the media.

My purpose in this blog is to provide accurate, reliable information based on the facts, rather than the trends.

Besides my educational background, I also have experience as a full-time weight loss coach and certified Level I Raw Foods Chef.

I will be working as a nutrition editor and posting answers to questions for FOODPICKER.ORG, a website designed by nutrition professionals to help people with diabetes.

In addition, please send me your own nutrition questions- I will post the answers as soon as possible. Unless you ask me how to "be skinny," in which case, I will kindly not post an answer, and instead maybe post a picture of a bunny. Or a song from Spice Girls. Both would be just as effective as the elusive "How to Be Skinny" post.

Alright everybody. Godspeed! Send me those questions!

Peace, Love, and Veggies,

Bee