Snack Question??

Ok, here is another diabeties question.  Sorry to be bothersome but I was wondering what your levels should be after a snack (15g carbs) and how long after.  My doctor does not have me correct for snacks and has never said what levels should be and when after a snack.  Don't see him until Aug. 11th.  

[WaveRider]

At times some people think a small meal is a snack. It greatly depends on the type of "15g carbs" you consumed too. If it was a simple carb, it's consider off track behavior - a bad choice of foods as simple carbs will jack up your glucose levels. If it was a complex carb you're on the right track - a good choice of foods as glucose from these foods enter the bloodstream more slowly.

Postprandial test times is 2-3 hours. I aim for 2.5 hours as this is when my glucose plateaus. Others I know plateau at 2.25 and 2.45 hrs respectively so it s up to you to test between the 2-3 hr mark to find out when your glucose plateaus. HTH

Type 2 diabetics should target a postprandial level of <141 mg/dl, better <121 mg/dl. You would be considered doing very well if you usually hit <121 mg/dl. Of course, the optimum goal is to be in the normal ranges of 70-99 mg/dl.  

[babyg888]

Yesterday before snack my bs was 79. I had one of those packs that has the 4 crackers and spread cheese.  !/2 hour later my bs was 72.  I ate another one and 1 hour later my bs was 82. That was a total of 30g.  I know my sugar wasn't to low, but when it gets in this range I get terrible headaches.  Usually this happens anytime under 90.  Looking for better snack choices. I am sorry if I seem bothersome or if these are silly questions, but as I said before the medical care in our area is less than helpful.  Let alone on the weekends.  I am really tired of being sick all the time.  It's not normally for me to be stuck in the bed on the computer with all of my symptoms.  I am usually very active!! I have a very caring family and I miss spending time with them.  Thank you again for being understanding!!  I feel so alone with this!!!

[Super_sally888]

Hi

are you on insulin?  However with your reported numbers you wouldn't need to correct for your snack.  Maybe your insulin dose needs some adjustment as it would appear that your blood sugar was dropping at the time you had the snack.  Maybe a slight decrease in insulin could be discussed with your doctor.

I would say that your ideal snack should include some fat and protein as well as carbs as this will help keep your blood sugar more stable.

a slice of wheat bread with peanut butter (no added sugar type) might work well.  A boiled egg with a cracker an some cheese?

The levels after a snack should generally be the same as the levels you would be looking for after a meal.  

[WaveRider]

"I had one of those packs that has the 4 crackers and spread cheese.  !/2 hour later my bs was 72.  I ate another one and 1 hour later my bs was 82. That was a total of 30g.  I know my sugar wasn't to low, but when it gets in this range I get terrible headaches."

First, terrible choice for a snack. You can do way-y-y better than that. When your body gets accustomed to high levels of glucose and then you dip into the normal ranges, the body then responds by increasing the quantity of blood flow to the brain as well as releasing hormones, which in turn release stored glucose into the blood stream. [it thinks you're having an hypoglycemic episode]This results in increased blood pressure, and a change in the blood vessels of the brain. It is thought that this change in blood vessel diameter and blood flow dynamics that is believed to cause the headache pain.

Also, as previously mentioned in another one of your threads, test preprandial [before eating] and postprandial [2-3 hrs after a meal/snack]. Watch the carb intake and avoid the carb sugars. You need to start making better food choices in order to start feeling better.