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How Often Should You Eat?

A DiabetesTeam Member asked a question 💭
Ravenna, OH

Over the past 3 days I try to watch my carb intake so I have been eating low carb every 2 hours then check my blood sugar, numbers are in the 250’s. Then tonight I had 2 pieces of lasagna and 2 hours later it was 114. I know it will be in the 180’s at 530am. Any advice? Thank you

February 18, 2020
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A DiabetesTeam Member

So the (convential advice) is to go "no longer than" 6 hours between meals if you eat 3 meals a day - plus add in a couple of snacks if necessary.

I personally find it much easier to control my sugars eating 4 meals a day, each 4 hours apart (8am, noon, 4pm and 8pm).

Your sugars peak about 1 1/2 to 2 hours after you eat, so you should be "down" from that meal after about 4 hours total. If you wait too long to eat again your liver might think you are fasting and start (pumping out sugar) to feed your cells. You have "no control" over that, so feeding them "yourself" is always the preferred option.

I try to keep the number of carbs eaten at each meal as "balanced" as possible - can't always do it, but try.

You should also have a "total carb goal" set that you do not exceed in a given day. Mine is about 100 net carbs (103 actually). So I aim for 25 carbs per meal.

Finding your "total carb number" can be aided with the assistance of a dieticial but only self testing will let you know exactly what you can tollerate. I "know" through testing that if I eat more than about 35 carbs max in any given meal I will blow my numbers up. So knowing that's what I can tollerate, trying to keep them (close to) 25 usually ensures that I will not go above range.

It still happens once in a while (3 or 4 times a month) and if I can't explain "why" (had a cold, ate too soon after earlier meal, had higher than normal BG before the meal) then I take whatever caused the spike off the "safe to eat" list.

February 18, 2020 (edited)
A DiabetesTeam Member

I’m suggesting for everyone who has diabetes to go to a diabetic specialist dietitian. They can and will let you know how many times to eat and how to eat and what to eat. My experience now after being diagnosed with Diabetes 10 years ago I’m now seeing a dietitian that’s a specialist diabetic nutritionist for The first time Ever I have to say it’s changed my life style eating the right way diabetics should eat. My meals 15-30 carbs each no more than 130 carbs a day. It’s hard but I have to do it. Good advice is the right advice!! Have a good day tho.

February 29, 2020
A DiabetesTeam Member

Eating a consistent amount of calories at each meal and timing meals consistently each day can make it easier to control your blood glucose. Be sure to take insulin or oral medications exactly as directed by your doctor and at the right times to keep your blood glucose steady.

For more detailed guidance, always consult Show Full Answer

Eating a consistent amount of calories at each meal and timing meals consistently each day can make it easier to control your blood glucose. Be sure to take insulin or oral medications exactly as directed by your doctor and at the right times to keep your blood glucose steady.

For more detailed guidance, always consult your doctor.

July 26
A DiabetesTeam Member

Lasagna is pasta it spikes up your sugar. Just saying !! Cause pasta is very high in sugars. And you mentioned your sugar was 114 ok? I mean idk all what you ate that day but I know pasta 2 pieces will spike up the sugars high. If this is having it under control good for you keep up the good work!!!

February 29, 2020
A DiabetesTeam Member

Thanks GrahamLamb for the great information

February 19, 2020

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