When to check blood glucose to see insulin spike?

(Jen) #1

If I wanted to see if a food is spiking insulin release how soon after eating should I be checking blood glucose? Every 30 minutes for 2 or 3 hours?

(David K) #2

I usually do it just before and then at 30, 60 and 120 minutes.

(Jen) #3

That’s great! Thanks!!

#4

I’m no expert, but it’s been my impression from reading that measuring blood sugars after eating something does not necessarily measure insulin levels/spikes. They are two different things, though related. Other than lab tests, unfortunately there is no easy way to measure your insulin levels.

(Jen) #5

In the absence of a home insulin test testing blood sugar is the only other option. I am not diabetic so it stands to reason if my blood sugar is elevated that insulin will be released. This is not true of every food as I believe there’s an artificial sweetener that will cause insulin to be released without raising blood sugar.

#6

Keep in mind there is ALWAYS a response to eating! Also keep in mine a RISE does not equal a SPIKE! In many cases it can happen and be fixed before you even catch it. I’d worry more about your sugar than trying to use it to assume insulin.

(Jen) #7

I guess my next question would be then how much of a rise indicates a significant insulin response? My pre food sugar was 4.8, had test food, 30 minutes later sugar is 5.1.

(Victoria Mc Coy) #8

I read somewhere that if your blood sugar drops after a LCHF meal you should suspect an insulin spike is the cause. Possible?

(Jen) #9

Yes that makes sense. You’ve eaten, insulin is released, your blood sugar will go down but then even out over time.

I think what I need to do, on further thought, is eat something that I know for sure will cause insulin to be released and see what the reaction is with blood sugar, something that is comparable in calories to my first test food but rather than be high fat/slight protein is mostly carbs