Blood Sugar Spikes

Postprandial spikes, also known as after-meal spikes, are transiently elevated blood glucose levels that happen shortly after eating. Even in those who do not have diabetes, a slight increase in blood glucose levels following meals is typical. If the increase is too great, it might lower your quality of life today and lead to more severe health issues in the future.

Many diabetics experience a simple timing issue that causes their blood glucose levels to increase right after eating. When consuming meals high in carbohydrates, a person without diabetes experiences two significant pancreatic reactions: the rapid release of insulin into the circulation and the production of a hormone called amylin.

The insulin begins to act almost immediately (to transport glucose from the circulation into cells) and completes its task in a few of minutes. Amylin prevents food from entering the small intestine too rapidly (where the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream). As a result, when blood glucose levels begin to increase, insulin is present to sweep the incoming glucose into the cells of the body. In most circumstances, the post-meal blood glucose spike is imperceptible.

Diabetes patients face the same predicament as a hitter with sluggish reflexes facing a pitcher who throws 98-mph fastballs: The timing is all messed up. Rapid-acting insulin that is injected (or infused by a pump) during mealtimes takes around 15 minutes to start functioning, 60-90 minutes to "peak," or achieve maximum efficacy, and four hours or more to complete working. Afrezza, an ultra-rapid-acting inhalable insulin, begins functioning 12-15 minutes after inhalation, peaks at around 30 minutes, and lasts about three hours.


Why is it problematic when blood sugar levels spike?

In the short term, a blood sugar surge will result in a sugar rush, followed by a sugar crash, with all of the associated cravings and fatigue.

Long-term blood sugar rises can harm your heart, kidneys, vision, and nerves, leading to neuropathy, which causes you to lose sensation in your fingers and toes.


Here are  4 suggestions for post-meal activities

Sweet meals and refined carbohydrates, such as white spaghetti and sugary pastries, can spike blood sugar levels quickly after consumption, whereas low-sugar foods, such as high-fiber leafy greens and lean proteins, can stabilize your blood sugar and prevent fluctuations.

Blood sugar control is more than simply what you consume (or not eating, for that matter). It's also about your eating habits throughout such times.

What you do with your body after eating a meal frequently contributes as much as what you consume during that meal toward your healthy blood sugar objectives. Blood sugar levels can be influenced by behaviors that help or hurt blood sugar balance.


After meals, avoid lying down

Because you are sedentary and your muscles aren't burning off the extra glucose in your bloodstream, sitting on the couch or lying down after eating will probably make your blood sugar worse.


Avoiding skipping breakfast

Several studies have indicated that skipping breakfast leads to increased post-meal blood sugar levels after lunch and supper. Skipping breakfast can also have an impact on your blood sugar levels later in the day.


Eat most of your calories early in the day

Since our systems have a circadian rhythm and absorb food more efficiently throughout the daytime, increasing your calorie intake earlier in the day might lower your blood sugar levels.


Eat fiber at meals and snacks

When you eat refined white flour, such as pizza crusts, spaghetti, or crackers, your body just gets carbohydrates and sugars, resulting in higher blood sugar spikes because there is no fiber to keep levels constant or slow digestion. So it's critical to eat fiber-rich meals not only to regulate post-meal blood sugar spikes, but also to improve gut health.

Starting to assess your post-meal control will undoubtedly be worthwhile. Talk to your healthcare provider about new or different medical therapies that could be helpful if your blood glucose levels are higher than they should be.