Blood Sugar Levels: Insights for Diabetics and Nutrition

About Diabetes

Hello Dietitian Tsai: I apologize for bothering you again.
I have been checking my blood sugar levels 3-4 times a day and controlling my diet while losing weight; I currently weigh 84 kg (originally 102 kg).
Occasionally, my postprandial blood sugar levels are between 140-150.
This morning, my fasting blood sugar was 115 (after fasting for 17 hours), which is higher than last night's postprandial level of 107.
I have noticed that fasting for more than 12 hours seems to result in slightly higher levels compared to fasting for 8-12 hours.
My diet has not changed, except for eating peanuts for the last two days.
I would like to ask Dietitian Tsai if it is possible that eating peanuts is related to this? Below are my blood sugar readings for the past 10 days:
5th: (before breakfast 92, after lunch (60 min) 135, (120 min) after dinner 98)
6th: (before breakfast 91, after breakfast 114, after dinner 100)
7th: (before breakfast 92, after lunch 130, before dinner 95, after dinner 107)
8th: (before breakfast 94, after breakfast 105, after dinner 123)
9th: (before breakfast 96, after breakfast 116, after lunch 107, after dinner 126)
10th: (before breakfast 91, after lunch 99, after dinner 101)
11th: (before breakfast 88, after lunch 104, after dinner 105)
12th: (before breakfast 78, after breakfast 91, after lunch 124, after dinner 82)
13th: (before breakfast 91, after lunch 128, after dinner 107)
14th: (before breakfast 115)
The above readings are fasting for more than 12 hours and 2 hours postprandial.
PS: I have hypertension, hyperlipidemia, proteinuria, and grade 5 fatty liver.
Thank you, Dietitian Tsai, for taking the time to respond.

Da Pang, 40~49 year old female. Ask Date: 2014/11/14

Dr. Cai Xiuwen reply Nutrition

Blood sugar levels are influenced by many factors.
Consuming too many peanuts may also be a contributing factor to blood sugar changes.
However, it is important to consider other aspects of your health, such as sleep quality, whether you have a cold, or any other infections, as these can also impact blood sugar levels.
It is recommended that you temporarily suspend peanut intake and monitor your blood sugar levels for comparison.

Reply Date: 2014/11/14

More Info

Hello! Thank you for reaching out with your questions regarding blood sugar levels and dietary considerations for diabetics. It’s great to hear that you have been actively monitoring your blood sugar and making efforts to manage your weight. Let’s break down your concerns and provide some insights.

Understanding Blood Sugar Levels
1. Blood Sugar Variability: It’s not uncommon for blood sugar levels to fluctuate throughout the day based on various factors, including food intake, physical activity, stress, and even the time of day. Your observation that fasting blood sugar levels can be higher after more extended periods of fasting (like 12 hours) compared to shorter fasts (8-12 hours) can be attributed to several factors, including hormonal changes in the body. When fasting for longer periods, the body may release more glucose into the bloodstream as a response to perceived low energy availability.

2. Impact of Food Choices: You mentioned consuming peanuts recently. While peanuts are generally considered a healthy snack due to their protein and healthy fat content, they can also contribute to overall caloric intake. If consumed in large amounts, they could potentially affect blood sugar levels, especially if they are part of a meal that is higher in carbohydrates. However, peanuts have a low glycemic index, meaning they typically do not cause significant spikes in blood sugar when eaten in moderation.

3. Daily Blood Sugar Monitoring: Your daily blood sugar readings indicate that you are doing a good job of monitoring your levels. The values you provided show some variability, which is normal. The goal for many individuals with diabetes is to maintain fasting blood sugar levels below 130 mg/dL and postprandial (after meal) levels below 180 mg/dL. Your readings seem to fall within these ranges, which is encouraging.

Dietary Recommendations
1. Balanced Meals: Focus on creating balanced meals that include a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. This combination can help stabilize blood sugar levels. For example, pairing carbohydrates with protein or healthy fats can slow down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.

2. Portion Control: Since you are actively trying to lose weight, portion control is essential. Even healthy foods can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess. Consider using smaller plates or measuring portions to help manage intake.

3. Fiber Intake: Incorporate high-fiber foods into your diet, such as vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fruits. Fiber can help slow digestion and improve blood sugar control.

4. Regular Meal Timing: Try to eat at regular intervals throughout the day to help maintain stable blood sugar levels. Skipping meals can lead to higher blood sugar levels later on.

5. Hydration: Staying well-hydrated is crucial. Water is the best choice, and it’s advisable to limit sugary drinks that can spike blood sugar levels.

Monitoring and Follow-Up
1. Consult with Healthcare Providers: Given your history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and fatty liver disease, it’s essential to maintain regular check-ups with your healthcare provider. They can help monitor your overall health and adjust any medications as necessary.

2. Consider Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM): If you find that your blood sugar levels are highly variable, you might want to discuss the possibility of using a continuous glucose monitor with your healthcare provider. This device can provide real-time data on your blood sugar levels and help you identify patterns related to your diet and lifestyle.

3. Keep a Food Diary: Documenting what you eat and your corresponding blood sugar levels can help you and your healthcare team identify any specific foods or habits that may be impacting your blood sugar control.

In summary, it’s great that you are taking proactive steps to manage your health. Continue monitoring your blood sugar levels, maintain a balanced diet, and consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice. If you have any further questions or need clarification, feel free to ask!

Similar Q&A

Understanding Blood Sugar Levels and Dietary Guidance from Nutritionist Tsai

Hello, Dietitian Tsai: Today I returned to the cardiology department to review my blood test results. My fasting blood glucose is 96 mg/dL and my hemoglobin A1c is 5.5% (three months ago, my fasting blood glucose was 130 mg/dL and my hemoglobin A1c was 6.4%). I asked the doctor i...

Dr. Cai Xiuwen reply Nutrition
Hello. Currently, the diagnostic criteria for diabetes in the country include: 1. Fasting blood glucose levels exceeding 126 mg/dL on two occasions, 2. Random blood glucose levels exceeding 200 mg/dL, 3. Hemoglobin A1c exceeding 6.5%. Therefore, since both of your blood test resu...

Understanding Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and When to Medicate

Hello, three years ago during a health check, I was informed that my blood glucose was on the borderline of diabetes, with a fasting blood glucose level of 108 mg/dL after fasting for 8 hours. Now, my self-monitored fasting blood glucose levels range between 103 and 125 mg/dL. Ov...

Dr. Chen Qingbin reply Internal Medicine
Hello Ms. Huang: You likely have early-stage diabetes, and you need to manage your diet, engage in regular exercise, and attend follow-up appointments for monitoring.

Understanding Blood Sugar Levels: Impact of Illness and Sleep on Results

I previously had a health check-up where my fasting blood sugar was 100, and I was advised to undergo a glucose tolerance test. The results showed a fasting blood sugar of 105 (which the doctor said is normal) and a postprandial blood sugar of 136 (with the standard being 80-120)...

Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Hello, I would like to respond as follows: 1. A fasting plasma glucose level between 100-125 mg/dL is referred to as impaired fasting glucose; a two-hour plasma glucose level between 140-199 mg/dL during an oral glucose tolerance test is referred to as impaired glucose toleranc...

Understanding Blood Sugar Fluctuations: Insights from Continuous Glucose Monitoring

Hello Doctor, I am 42 years old. Last August, my health check revealed a fasting blood glucose level of 115 mg/dL and a hemoglobin A1c of 5.8%. Since then, my fasting blood glucose has remained elevated, fluctuating between 108 and 114 mg/dL, with an A1c of 5.7% to 5.8%. I purcha...

Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, your question falls within the specialty of endocrinology, and the physician may need to ask you additional questions related to your diet and exercise in order to have a discussion. Therefore, it is recommended that you visit the hospital to consult with the endocrinology...