Normal Blood Sugar Levels after Eating

Lot of energy is required to perform our daily activities and glucose is the main source of energy. Glucose in blood is also recognized as blood sugar and abnormal levels of blood sugar can result in serious health complications. Our body breaks up carbohydrates and produces glucose, a form of sugar. Generally, blood glucose levels are checked twice or thrice before arriving at any conclusion. Glucose levels vary throughout the day, especially before and after having meals.

Blood Sugar Levels

Blood glucose level checked after an eight hour fast (generally overnight) is known as fasting blood sugar level. Sugar levels checked two hours after having meals are known as postprandial blood sugar levels. Sugar levels tested any time during the day are called random blood sugar levels. The normal fasting blood sugar level for men is 70 - 100 mg/dl (milligram per deciliter). For men, the normal sugar level after eating is 70 - 140 mg/dl. Sugar levels for men are usually below 70 - 125 mg/dl when tested randomly. The normal blood sugar levels for women after eating are around 135 to 140 mg/dL and normal fasting blood sugar levels for women are 70 to 140 mg/dL. There can be a sudden rise in the blood sugar levels after eating. The level may go up to 180 mg/dL within one hour. You might be surprised to discover that those who have normal fasting blood sugar levels may have high blood sugar levels after eating. The condition wherein elevated sugar levels are noticed is known as hyperglycemia while low blood sugar levels indicate hypoglycemia. The following charts will explain what are the normal, low and high blood glucose levels.

Normal Blood Sugar Levels

Blood Sugar Level	Kids	Adults
Normal	70 - 100 mg/dL	70 - 140 mg/dL
Low	Below 70 mg/dL	Below 70 mg/dL
High	Over 140 mg/dL	Over 180 mg/dL

Low Blood Sugar Levels

Blood Sugar Levels	Readings (mg/dL)
Normal	70 - 140
Hypoglycemia (Initial Stage)	Below 70
Hypoglycemia (Fasting)	50
Insulin Shock	Less than 50

High Blood Sugar Levels Before and After Eating

Blood Sugar Levels	Fasting Values(mg/dL)	Post Meal Value: 2 hrs after the Meal (mg/dL)
Normal	70 - 100	Less than 140
Early Diabetes	101 - 126	140 - 200
Established Diabetes	More than 126	More than 200

Normal Blood Sugar Levels One Hour after Eating

To conclude, we can say that the normal sugar levels after eating should be less than 140 mg/dl. Most people have less than 100 mg/dl. Studies show that normal blood sugar levels after eating high carb meals may rise to about 125 mg/dl for a brief period. The highest reading can be generally noticed 45 minutes after eating and then the levels again come down below 100 mg/dl. Another 'post-challenge glucose test', may be advised by your doctor. You will be given some glucose (generally 75 mg), in liquid form and after 30 - 60 minutes, blood sample will be taken. This test helps detect 'impaired glucose tolerance' (IGT), and 'impaired fasting glucose' (IFG), which are commonly known as prediabetes. Sometimes, high or low postprandial blood glucose levels are detected even in people who don't have diabetes or prediabetes. Studies show that people who have excess fat around the belly and high blood pressure; and whose sugar level are over 155 mg/dl when measured with the help of one hour glucose tolerance test, are more likely to develop diabetes.

Insulin, made by pancreas plays an important role in controlling blood glucose. These days, handy blood glucose monitors are easily available in the market. Regular checkups help avoid health complications. Alcohol abuse, smoking, excessive consumption of caffeine, excessive stress, wrong diet, certain medicines and certain illnesses can affect blood sugar levels. Diabetic diet and regular exercise can help maintain the blood sugar levels after eating within the normal range.