Understanding Post-Meal Glucose Control Techniques

Post-meal glucose management involves strategies to regulate blood sugar levels after meals to maintain metabolic balance.

Post-meal Glucose Management FAQ

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What should a postprandial glucose level be after a meal?

According to the International Diabetes Federation, in a person without diabetes, a postprandial glucose response after a normal meal should not go above 140 mg/dL 1-2 hours after a meal. It’s important to note that we should aim for even more narrow post-meal levels for optimal health.

How important is postprandial plasma glucose control in diabetes management?

Control of postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) therefore plays an important role in diabetes management. International diabetes guidelines acknowledge the value of PPG monitoring yet place relatively little emphasis on PPG control.

How long after a meal does glucose return to preprandial levels?

In nondiabetic individuals, plasma glucose concentrations peak ∼60 min after the start of a meal, rarely exceed 140 mg/dl, and return to preprandial levels within 2–3 h. Even though glucose concentrations have returned to preprandial levels by 3 h, absorption of the ingested carbohydrate continues for at least 5–6 h after a meal.

What are postprandial glucose concentrations?

The word postprandial means after a meal; therefore, PPG concentrations refer to plasma glucose concentrations after eating. Many factors determine the PPG profile. In nondiabetic individuals, fasting plasma glucose concentrations (i.e., following an overnight 8- to 10-h fast) generally range from 70 to 110 mg/dl.