Postprandial Blood Sugar(PPBS) Levels, Test, and Normal Range – Sugar Level After Meals

Have you ever wondered why your postprandial blood sugar levels are higher than your fasting blood sugar levels? And how is this helpful in your diabetes management? The blog has all the answers. It provides detailed charts for normal postprandial blood sugar ranges across different age groups and explains how to interpret test results. 

It also discusses various factors affecting postprandial glucose levels, from carbohydrate intake to individual metabolism. You will find practical tips on controlling and reducing blood sugar spikes after meals, along with information on proper testing techniques and frequency.

What Are Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels?

The blood sugar level is the amount of sugar or glucose in your bloodstream. These sugar levels change post meals whether you are a diabetic or a non-diabetic.

Your post-meal blood sugar levels (typically after 1 or 2 hours of eating) are your postprandial blood sugar values.

Tracking your blood sugar levels before and after meals is integral to diabetes management; it gives you a well-rounded picture of your overall health.

It also helps you to know how your body is handling diabetes. Read this blog to learn more about the postprandial blood sugar test (PP test) and how you can control those blood sugar spikes after meals.

Normal Postprandial Blood Sugar Level Chart

Read More: What is Glycemic Index And To Calculate?

Interpretations of PP Blood Sugar Results

The test results of sugar level after eating depend upon the age, gender, and medical history of the individual. Achieving normal postprandial blood sugar results or not depends upon various factors. However, here are some generic values for normal, fasting, and postprandial blood sugar levels:

Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels: 1 Hour After Eating

Non-Diabetic Person:

For a healthy individual, the 1 hour postprandial glucose normal range should be between 170 mg/dL and 199 mg/dL. These are considered normal postprandial blood sugar values.

Pre-Diabetic:

Individuals with prediabetes, who are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, might experience postprandial levels slightly higher than normal. Levels between 200 mg/dL and 230 mg/dL indicate impaired glucose tolerance.

Diabetic:

People with diabetes may get 1-hour postprandial blood sugar levels over 200 mg/dL (typically between 230-300 mg/dL).

Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels: 2 Hours After Eating

Normal Person:

A 2-hour postprandial glucose normal range of less than 140 mg/dL is generally considered normal for a healthy individual. The body’s insulin response helps maintain a normal 2-hour postprandial blood sugar range.

Pre-Diabetic:

For those with prediabetes, a 2-hour PP blood sugar range between 140 mg/dL and 179 mg/dL indicates impaired glucose tolerance, underscoring the need for lifestyle changes to manage risk.

Diabetic:

2-hour postprandial blood sugar levels of a person with diabetes could exceed 180 mg/dL.

Note: Since type 1 diabetics are probably already taking insulin, their postprandial blood sugar levels may spike above 300 mg/dL (and may vary depending on different factors). Determining postprandial blood sugar levels of type 1 diabetics is highly subjective.

Factors Affecting Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels (PP Blood Sugar Levels)

There are many reasons why you have those blood sugar spikes after eating, and most people don’t have any answer to it. The answer lies in a fascinating interplay of factors that influence your body’s response to the food you consume. Let’s dive into the science behind postprandial blood sugar levels and the key factors that come into play.

Carbohydrates:

Carbohydrates are your body’s primary source of energy. When you eat foods rich in carbohydrates (like rice, bread, and fruits), your digestive system breaks them down into glucose, a simple sugar. This glucose enters your bloodstream, causing your blood sugar levels to rise. The type and amount of carbohydrates you eat directly impact how your PPBS levels.

Fiber Content:

Foods high in dietary fiber have a slower impact on blood sugar levels. Fiber slows down the digestion process, which means glucose enters the bloodstream more gradually, preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar.

Portion Size:

The quantity of food you consume plays a significant role. Larger portions often mean a higher intake of carbohydrates. Opting for appropriate portion sizes helps manage postprandial glucose.

Meal Composition:

Combining different nutrients in a meal affects how your body processes glucose. Including sources of protein and healthy fats alongside carbohydrates can slow down glucose absorption, resulting in a much better PPBS test result.

Glycemic Index (GI):

The glycemic index categorizes foods based on how quickly they raise blood sugar levels. High-GI foods, like sugary snacks, cause rapid spikes, while low-GI foods, such as whole grains, cause gentler rises. Choosing lower GI foods can help control postprandial blood sugar.

Physical Activity:

Engaging in physical activity after a meal can have a positive impact. Exercise helps muscle cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream, reducing blood sugar levels. For initial improvements, even a regular short walk can contribute to better postprandial glucose control.

Medications and Insulin:

For individuals with diabetes, medications or insulin injections can affect how the body responds to glucose. It’s crucial to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for dosing and timing to manage postprandial blood sugar effectively.

Individual Variability:

Each person’s metabolism is unique. Factors like genetics, age, and overall health influence how your body processes glucose. What might cause a significant rise in one person’s blood sugar might have a milder effect on another.

You can get dedicated guidance on how to balance these factors for better control over postprandial blood sugar.

Read More: Gestational Diabetes: Types, Risk Factors, Causes, Symptoms & Diet

How to Control and Reduce Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels?

There are people with diabetes who experience postprandial spikes. This means that their blood sugar level temporarily rises after meals. When the post-prandial sugar levels are too high, it can cause serious health problems. Therefore, it is important to keep your sugar levels in control. Here are some tips that help you control your PP sugar normal range:

1. Stress Management

You can control your blood sugar spikes through lifestyle management. Keep stress out of your life. Stress releases certain hormones in your body that disrupt the release of stored energy in the form of sugar, causing your blood sugar level to spike. Engage in activities like yoga and meditation to achieve the PP sugar normal range.

2. Adequate Sleep

Adequate and sound sleep is an important part of your diabetes management. Lack of sleep promotes insulin resistance. As a result, your blood sugar level increases. Therefore, you should sleep 7-8 hours per day. You can do meditation to enjoy a sound sleep. This will help you achieve the PP sugar normal range. Also, it will keep you rejuvenated.

3. Don’t Skip Your Breakfast

You should always start your day with a healthy breakfast. Include a lot of fruits, low-carb food, and protein in your breakfast. This helps in achieving a normal PP sugar range after breakfast. When you skip breakfast, after some time, your body will make use of stored body glucose. This ultimately helps to increase your blood sugar levels.

4. Exercise Daily

Even moderate exercises for a start, like walking, light household work, and yoga, can help control your blood sugar level. It also helps in improving your body’s response to insulin. This also helps maintain your weight so that your body can use insulin effectively.

5. Eat More Fiber

Soluble fibers help in controlling sugar spikes. Such fibers get dissolved in water and form a gel-like substance in your body. It, therefore, helps slow the absorption of carbs in the gut. This helps make you feel full and cuts down your carbohydrate intake. In this way, the levels of your postprandial glucose can get under control.

According to a study published in Nutrition Journal, eating a high in soluble fiber diet can help improve glucose metabolism.

6. Reduce Sugar Intake

Your body easily absorbs sugar when you eat sugary foods. Such food contains simple sugar that breaks down easily. This causes an immediate spike in your blood sugar level. You should also be aware of the food labeled as “no sugar”, “sugar-free”, or “reduced sugar”. Such labels don’t mean carbohydrate-free. Therefore, please check the nutritional facts and ingredient labels before buying grocery and packaged food items.

7. Drink Plenty Of Water

Dehydration negatively affects blood sugar levels. Lack of water in your body promotes the release of a hormone called vasopressin. This encourages your kidneys to prevent flushing out of excessive sugar from your body through urine. Therefore, drinking at least 3 liters of water per day is important to maintain the levels of postprandial glucose and prevent a sugar spike.

8. Include Chromium And Magnesium In Your Diet

Several pieces of evidence show chromium and magnesium help increase insulin sensitivity in your body. The human body requires these two minerals in very small quantities. However, they are enough to enhance insulin action. Rich sources of these two minerals are almonds, broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, avocados, peanuts, and cashews.

9. Manage Your Timings

Your meals and snack timing affect your blood sugar levels. Sticking to the same schedule helps keep your blood sugar levels steady and consistent. Manage your timing for medication, insulin intake, and meals to prevent blood sugar spikes. For example, insulin works better when you take it 30 minutes before a meal. This enables insulin to work before your food’s glucose enters your bloodstream.

10. Track Your Glucose Levels Regularly

It is very important to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. This helps you to know when your blood sugar levels rise and decrease. It is also a good way to track how food affects your body. You will also figure out the effect of stress and exercise on your body. Use a glucometer to monitor your blood sugar levels daily.

You can easily control your blood sugar spikes. However, you should also know how long it takes for your blood sugar levels to return to normal after eating and what your normal blood sugar levels should be.

These days, a variety of glucose level-tracking apps are available. They help you monitor your calorie intake and blood glucose level over time. Some of the apps even provide a detailed report of your blood glucose level history. Therefore, it is convenient to start with medications.

Read More: How to Test Blood Sugar at Home & Quick Ways

Summary

Blood sugar spikes can be controlled by managing stress, getting enough sleep, eating more fibre and proteins, doing regular exercise, reducing your sugar intake, etc.

Fasting And Postprandial Blood Sugar Tests (PPBS Tests)

The most common blood sugar tests are:

1. Fasting blood sugar test
2. Postprandial blood sugar test (PPBS test)

A fasting blood sugar test requires overnight fasting of around 8-10 hours. This gives a vital clue about how well your body can regulate blood sugar levels.

The PPBS test or blood sugar PP measures blood sugar levels after 2 hours of eating. Usually, postprandial blood sugar may increase and peak 1 hour after eating.

PP test diagnoses you for prediabetes, type-1, or type-2 diabetes.

Comparative Analysis of Fasting and Post-Prandial Blood Sugar Levels

Monitoring and Testing PPBS Levels

To address your query about monitoring and testing PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar) levels, let me provide information on best practices and recommended testing frequency:

Best practices for PPBS testing:

• Timing: Test 2 hours after the start of a meal. This is when blood glucose typically peaks.
• Consistency: When possible, use the same meal for testing, ideally a standardized meal with a known amount of carbohydrates.
• Proper technique: Follow the glucose meter manufacturer’s instructions carefully for accurate results.
• Alternate sites: While fingertips are common, some meters allow testing on other sites. Be aware that alternate sites may have a slight lag in glucose changes.
• Record results: Keep a log of PPBS readings along with meal information and any relevant factors (stress, illness, medication changes).

Recommended frequency of testing:

The frequency of PPBS testing can vary based on individual circumstances, diabetes type, and treatment plan. Here are some general guidelines:

• For newly diagnosed patients: Daily or multiple times per day initially, to establish patterns.
• For stable diabetes: 2-3 times per week at different meals.
• For patients adjusting medication or experiencing unstable blood sugar: Take it daily or more frequently as advised by a healthcare provider.
• During illness or stress: More frequent testing may be necessary.
• For gestational diabetes: As directed by the healthcare provider, often after every meal.

It’s important to note that these are general guidelines. The exact testing frequency should be determined in consultation with your diabetologist based on individual needs and treatment goals.

Read More: Reverse your Diabetes without Medications

Preparations For Postprandial Glucose Test

Your doctor may ask you to undergo a fasting test before the postprandial glucose test. For a fasting glucose test, you must fast for at least 8 hours before giving the sample.

After this, you need to eat a meal containing around 75 grams of carbohydrates.

The healthcare provider will then collect your next sample for the PP blood sugar test (2 hours after the meal).

Don’t engage in any physical activity before the PP test. You just need to rest for 2 hours. Physical activities, especially workouts, can alter your blood sugar levels.

Common Causes for High Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels

Here are the probable listed causes for high postprandial blood sugar levels:

Carbohydrate intake:

• Consuming large amounts of carbohydrates, especially simple carbs
• Eating foods with a high glycemic index
• Insufficient fiber intake slows down carbohydrate absorption

Insulin-related issues:

• Insufficient insulin production (Type 1 diabetes)
• Insulin resistance (Type 2 diabetes)
• Delayed or inadequate insulin release

Medication factors:

• Incorrect dosing of diabetes medications
• Timing issues with insulin or other glucose-lowering drugs
• Side effects of certain medications (e.g., steroids)

Physical activity:

• Lack of exercise and body activity after meals
• Irregular or no exercise

Stress and hormones:

• Increased cortisol levels due to stress
• Hormonal changes (e.g., during menstruation or pregnancy)

Illness and infections:

• Acute illnesses can cause temporary insulin resistance
• Chronic infections may affect glucose metabolism

Dawn phenomenon:

• Early morning rise in blood sugar due to hormonal changes

Gastroparesis:

• Delayed stomach emptying, common in long-standing diabetes

Genetic factors:

• Certain genetic variations can affect postprandial glucose regulation

Alcohol consumption:

• Can lead to an initial drop followed by a spike in blood sugar

Dehydration:

• Can concentrate blood glucose levels

Certain medical conditions:

• Pancreatic diseases
• Cushing’s syndrome
• Hyperthyroidism

Read More: Diabetic Gastroparesis – Symptoms, Diagnoses, and Treatment

Conclusion

Managing postprandial blood sugar levels is a crucial aspect of diabetes care and overall health. By understanding the factors that influence these levels and implementing the strategies discussed, you can take control of your glucose management. Remember, consistency in monitoring, mindful eating, workout, and medication schedules are key.

While the journey may seem challenging, the benefits of maintaining healthy postprandial blood sugar levels are significant. They can potentially reduce the risk of complications and improve quality of life. Stay proactive, work closely with your healthcare provider, and celebrate small victories.

FAQ’s(Frequently Asked Questions)