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Updated June 19, 2014



Postprandial blood glucose check helps you know what your blood sugar is following a meal

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The word “postprandial” literally means “after eating a meal.” For those with diabetes it refers to your blood glucose levels that are taken at two hours following a meal. This is considered the average amount of time that glucose from a meal will reliably show up in your blood to help determine the effect it might have on your blood sugar level.

People with diabetes are often asked to check their postprandial blood sugar two hours after a meal. This helps them and their doctors assess which foods keep blood glucose levels in good control and which cause a sudden rise in blood sugar levels. The American Diabetes Association has recommended that postprandial blood sugar levels be under 180 mg/dL.

When it is higher than 180 mg/dl in a person who has not been diagnosed with diabetes, is should prompt that person to seek additional testing to determine their risk of diabetes.

When the postprandial glucose exceeds 180 mg/dl in a person already diagnosed with diabetes, it signals a possible need to revise the diabetes management plan to keep glucose in tighter control.

  1. About.com
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  5. Postprandial Blood Sugar Monitoring After Meals

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