You body uses glucose as its primary energy source. It's easiest for your body to convert carbohydrates to glucose, so eating carbs has the greatest impact on your blood sugar level. Fiber, fat and protein slow down digestion and help keep glucose levels stable. It's normal for glucose levels to fluctuate before and after eating, but it's important to monitor your glucose levels to avoid both high blood sugar, called hyperglycemia, and low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia.
Normal Glucose Ranges
If you're monitoring your blood sugar level, you're probably taking a fasting measurement in the morning when you wake up, and then before and after eating. If you have type 2 diabetes, your fasting and preprandial, or before eating, glucose level should be between 70 and 130 mg/dL. Postprandial, or after eating, your glucose levels will rise, but should fall below 180 mg/dL within two hours after your meal. If you have type 1 diabetes, you're glucose levels shouldn't go below 90 mg/dL; children with diabetes should have glucose levels between 100 and 200 mg/dL, as children are prone to hypoglycemia.
Is it Normal for My Blood Sugar to Go From 147 to 77 in 4 Hours?
It's absolutely normal to see such a change in glucose levels. If you got a 147 mg/dL reading soon after eating, four hours later before your next meal, a reading of 77 mg/dL would be fine. A 147 mg/dL glucose reading after eating is actually a very good reading -- not too high; it means you ate a well-balanced meal that didn't cause your glucose level to rise dramatically and you had the proper amount of insulin to move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells for use as energy.
Ways to Lower Your Blood Sugar
If your blood sugar was still above 180 mg/dL two hours after eating, it could be caused by a number of factors: eating too many carbohydrates, not exercising, not taking the proper dose of insulin or other diabetes medication, stress or illness. It's common for an infection to keep your glucose levels elevated. You can lower your glucose levels and prevent hyperglycemia by eating fewer carbs and adding fiber, lean protein and healthy fats to your meal. Moderate physical activity 20 minutes after eating can help your body use more glucose -- try taking a walk after eating. Talk to your doctor before increasing your insulin dosage; it may be better to adjust your diet first.
Ways to Raise Your Blood Sugar
Although 77 mg/dL is above the hypoglycemic level for type 2 diabetics, it may be a little low if you're young or have type 1 diabetes. You can avoid hypoglycemia by eating more food or taking less insulin with your meal. If your activity level increases, you need to compensate by consuming more calories. Sticking to a schedule and eating at regular intervals throughout the day will also help stabilize glucose levels.
