Maintaining healthy blood glucose levels is crucial for overall well-being. Understanding the ideal ranges for fasting and post-meal blood glucose can empower you to take control of your health. Let's explore the recommended levels - keeping in mind that these numbers are broad recommendations, and your personal targets may be higher or lower depending on your age, diagnosis, and medications. In addition, if you are eating a low carbohydrate or ketogenic diet, it is likely your blood glucose levels will be lower (and that's fantastic!).
A fasting blood glucose level is a measurement of the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood after a period of fasting, usually overnight or for at least 9 hours without eating.
The recommended fasting blood glucose level is between 4.0 to 5.4 mmol/L (70 to 100 mg/dL). Levels between 5.5 and 6.9 mmol/L may indicate prediabetes, while levels at or above 7.0 mmol/L may suggest diabetes.
Your post-meal or 'postprandial' blood glucose level is the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood 2 hours after you have finished eating.
They are generally considered normal if they are below 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) two hours after you finish eating. Levels between 7.8 and 11.0 mmol/L may indicate prediabetes, while levels at or above 11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) may suggest diabetes.
Interested to know more about why you should measure your blood glucose level and how you can lower your numbers? Surf our blog, or reach out and talk to one of our Dietitians or Diabetes Educators.