You want to control your diabetes as much as possible. You wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t.
So you regularly check your A1C level. This is the best measurement of our blood glucose control that we have now. It tells us what percentage of our hemoglobin — the protein in our red blood cells that carry oxygen — has glucose sticking to it. The less glucose that remains in our bloodstream rather than going to work in the cells that need it the better we feel now and the better our health will continue to be.
As we are able to control our diabetes better and better, the reasonable goal is to bring our A1C levels down to normal — the A1C level that people who don’t have diabetes have. But before we can even set that goal, we have to know what the target is.
The trouble with setting that target is that different experts tell us that quite different A1C levels are “normal.” They tell us that different levels are normal — but I have never heard of actual studies of normal A1C levels among people without diabetes — until now.
The major laboratories that test our levels often say that the normal range is 4.0 to 6.0. They base that range on an old standard chemistry text, Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry.
The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial or DCCT, one of the two largest and most important studies of people with diabetes, said that 6.0 was a normal level. But the other key study, the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study or UKPDS, which compared conventional and intensive therapy in more than 5,000 newly diagnosed people with type 2 diabetes, said that 6.2 is the normal level.
Those levels, while unsubstantiated, are close. But they comes along one of my heroes, Dr. Richard K. Bernstein, the author of the key text of very low-carb eating for people with diabetes, Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution. Dr. Bernstein himself developed type 1 diabetes in 1946 at the age of 12.
“For my patients…a truly normal HgbA1C ranges from 4.2 percent to 4.6 percent,” he writes on page 54 of the third edition of that book. “Mine is consistently 4.5 percent.” Then in his July 30, 2008, telecast he reiterated that as far as he has been able to determine, a normal A1C is 4.2 to 4.6.
What Dr. Bernstein says is normal is so at odds with the other experts that at least a year ago I determined to find scientific proof of what a normal A1C level actually is. It turned out to be a lot more difficult to find than I ever imagined.
My personal quest for a normal A1C level and that of my favorite Certified Diabetes Educator drove that search.
When I learned in 1994 that I had diabetes and that my A1C level was 14.4, I was gradually able to bring it way down. Lately I have been doing everything I can think of to try to get my A1C down to normal. But in 2008 my level in nine separate A1C tests always ranged from 5.2 to 5.6. That’s far from normal, according to Dr. Bernstein.
My favorite Certified Diabetes Educator is also doing everything she can to get a normal A1C level. And she doesn’t even have diabetes — which she double-checked by taking a glucose tolerance test — but her most recent A1C was 5.4.
What could we be doing that is so wrong? Each of us is thin, eat a very healthy diet, exercise a lot, take care of our teeth and gums, which is a major source of infection. Could we have other infections or stresses that prevent us from getting our A1C levels down to “normal”?
It turns out that my favorite Certified Diabetes Educator and I have normal A1C levels after all. I learned this just yesterday when I finally tracked down actual research determining what normal levels are.
A friend suggested that I contact the people who run the standardization program for A1C testing. This organization affiliated with the University of Missouri is the NGSP. Those initial used to stand for the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program. But now that the NGSP is international, they changed the name.
So I called Curt Rohlfing, the NGSP data manager and technical writer/research analyst at the University of Missouri. And finally hit pay dirt in my quest for learning what a normal A1C is.
Curt told me that every three or four years his lab at the university studies a group of people who don’t have diabetes to scientifically determine what a normal A1C level is. The results from one study to the next are always close, Curt told me. In their most recent study they tested 29 people who lived nearby in central Missouri.
I asked how they knew if the people they tested didn’t have diabetes. “Because we did fasting glucose tests on them, they had no prior history of diabetes, and none of them were obese,” Curt replied.
So what were their levels? They ranged from 4.5 to 6, Curt replied. That’s at plus or minus 3 standard deviations.
I am certainly no statistician. But Curt tells me that it includes about 99 percent of the values.
The range is narrower — 4.7 to 5.7 — at plus or minus 2 standard deviations. This includes about 95 percent of the values.
“The upper limit is the more important one,” Curt explained further. “The lower limit doesn’t convey as much meaning.”
They also see “a little skew toward the high end of the range, a bit of tailing at the high side,” Curt continued. In fact, levels below 4.5 are “quite unusual,” and usually are only when people have anemia or other abnormalities of the red blood cells.
Remember these are the ranges obtained by the people who set the standards for A1C tests. Sadly, however, not every laboratory or home test kit meets those standards. Maybe the lab that Dr. Bernstein uses doesn’t. Does yours? Curt suggests that you ask your doctor if the lab running the test uses a method that is certified by the NGSP.
The first conclusion of the research for me is that we need to shoot for a normal A1C level of no more than 6.0 instead of trying what may be impossible, a level of 4.2 to 4.6.
However, an A1C level of 6.0 can cause people who take insulin injections or one of the sulfonylureas to go hypo. That’s why the American Diabetes Associations sets the goal conservatively at 7.0.
Still, a lower A1C level among people who take those medications is possible without hypos. Dr. Bernstein has amply shown that both in his own life and that of thousands of his patients.
And certainly, for those of us who don’t take insulin injections or one of the sulfonylureas we can set our goal even lower.
That’s because we have to understand the different between normal and optimal. For example, two-thirds of all American adults are overweight. Thus it has become normal in our culture to be overweight. Likewise, the average American gets little exercise, and that is also normal. We know that being a chubby couch potato isn’t optimal.
“I’m going to aim to be in the lower end of the normal A1C range,” my favorite CDE tells me, “because that is what I believe is optimal for human health.” And now that I know my A1C is in the normal range I am still going to do my best to bring it down as much as possible. Are you?
This is a mirror of one of my articles that Health Central published. You can navigate to that site to find my most recent articles.
42 responses so far ↓
1 Christina Jones // Mar 12, 2009 at 5:36 am
I don’t know if you will get this comment, or answer it, but I’m asking anyway. How long does it take to drop your A1C? In early January, I had an A1C of 10, and blood sugars averaging in the 300 range. I immediately grasped control, began daily exercise and cut out all sugar and most of the carbs, and my average sugars now are below 120. I have been chomping at the bit to go to the doc and get another A1C, but I don’t want to be horribly disappointed. How long will it take before all of these major lifestyle changes (and believe me, they are major!) will show up on the test?
2 David Mendosa // Mar 12, 2009 at 8:20 am
Dear Christina,
Your A1C level is probably already much lower. The key fact is that the A1C measures your average blood glucose level over the past two or three months and it is weighed heavily toward the more recent levels.
Best regards,
David
3 alice // Apr 14, 2009 at 6:42 am
Hi , I had my A1C checked my Dr said that it is 6.8 It never goes higher Thank Goodness. I check my sugar s at home and . at times it is low 70 sometimes or 100. He took mine 2 hrs after eating and it was 130 , but because my A1C is 6.8 he wanted to put me on Metformin, im scared because i was put on Avandia and januvia, and my sugars dropped low and landed me in hospital , also metformin 500 and I got dry mouth. can you tell me what I can take to help me naturally ? my Husbands A1C is 7.7 he is on junamet 50/500. now he also gave him glumetza 500. is that to much meds ? your help would be greatly appreciated
Thank you
Alice
4 David Mendosa // Apr 14, 2009 at 7:45 am
Dear Alice,
Thanks for asking. As you read in the article above, your A1C is higher than normal and will probably in time lead to complications that you can avoid if you take action now. Your doctor’s recommendation of metformin is an excellent one, and it will not make your blood glucose level go too low. However, you do have one natural choice that will work, and that is a very low-carbohydrate diet as I have written about here.
As to your husband, the three medicines he’s taking for diabetes is a lot (three because Janumet is Januvia and metformin). It’s about the maximum, and doctors try not to prescribe a lot of different medications because of the many unknown complications when we take many drugs.
Best regards,
David
5 Serena // May 11, 2009 at 8:24 am
Hi, David,
I’m also wondering about what is normal A1C levels. I have a hx of diabetes on my father’s side (he passed due to a major heart attack), and his mother (my paternal grandmother) also had diabetes. Imagine my surprise last year when I learned that my A1C was 6.2%. My fasting glucose was good, however. The dr. started me with post-prandial testing, and I found that I was insultin resistent. I have had additional A1C testing every 3 months, and it’s gone down to 6.0% and has stayed there. I know it can go lower if I just cut out the sugar and junk (guilty as charged).
But I’m just wonderning, considering my family history of diabetes, could 6.0% be good enough??
My dr. encourages me to get my 2-hr post-prandial level down to under 100. However, I went to a dietician recently and she said, considered I had a hx of diabetes, that under 140 should be what I aim for.
So who’s right???
Thanks!
6 David Mendosa // May 11, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Dear Serena,
Compared with most of your doctor’s patients, you are fine. What your doctor and dietician say is the conventional wisdom.
But your chances of any number of the awful complications of diabetes do go up when your A1C is higher than normal, i.e. higher than what people who don’t have diabetes have. Please for the sake of your health do everything in your power to get your level below 5.0.
Best regards,
David
7 Janeen // Jun 8, 2009 at 9:18 pm
I was just diagnosed type 2. My oral glucose test went over 200 at the 1 hour and 2.My a1c is 6.1.I am over weight and have been trying to lose the lbs. I tried for many months to lose the weight before I went to the doctor about my blood sugar. I have been tracking my glucose for years and ordered my own test. Before she ordered my a1c as the reslut of my ogt I brought in, she looked at me like my eating must be out of control. My results speak for themselves. She said she wants to put me on metformin for the weight not the diabetes, she said it is under control. However, even small amounts of carbs can send my blood sugar over 200 an hour after meals.Are there any other things I could do? I try to really read all labels and avoid rice,bread,pasta.Thanks for your time.
8 David Mendosa // Jun 8, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Dear Janeen,
We have two great ways to control our weight, and I have successfully use them both. First, I lost well over 100 pounds by taking Byetta. Then, when I wanted to stop using any drugs, I began to follow a very low-carb diet instead, and lost even more weight and have kept it off. Both strategies together may work even better, as Dr. Bernstein’s patients will tell you. I have written many articles about both Byetta and low-carbing.
Best regards,
David
9 Tariq Siddiqui // Jul 29, 2009 at 5:45 am
Excellent research. Very helpful in understanding the normal Levels.
10 Jill // Oct 15, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Hi David,
I had the 2 hour glucose test. After an hour I was at 250. I had the A1C test and it came back normal. I don’t know what the numbers are yet. I will be seeing my doc on Wednesday. Does this mean I have diabetes? I am not over weight. I am nervous about this. I am so thristy all the time and urinate 15-20 times a day. I am very tired and hungry all the time.
Thanks for your help!
11 David Mendosa // Oct 15, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Dear Jill,
Generally, an A1C test cannot diagnose diabetes or not. But the fact that you are thirsty and have to urinate a lot are classic signs of diabetes. It could be something else. I can’t say.
Best regards,
David
12 Jill // Oct 16, 2009 at 9:12 pm
What about the 2 hour fasting test that I had? At the half hour mark my glucose level was 193, at 1 hour it was 250, then it went down to 146. Does this mean I have diabetes?
Thanks for your help.
13 Kevin Leahy // Oct 16, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Hi Jill,
I have to start by saying I am not a health professional, but I am studying to be one. I also am a type I diabetic. Your doctor would be the person to diagnose you with diabetes, but certainly the blood glucose values you describe are abnormal. I would schedule an appointment if possible and talk to you doctor about treatment options. The first thing they will say, and I agree, is to focus on lifestyle changes. It is incredibly difficult for some people, but it is worth the fight. Even healthy individuals should be striving to eat their fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, but we must be extra vigilant. That may not be enough for you, so metformin is a good starter medicine to help you keep your sugar levels under control. Good luck and good health.
14 Jill // Oct 17, 2009 at 8:02 am
Thanks David. I do have an appointment with my doc on Wednesday. I am 51 years old and NOT over weight. That’s the strange thing. I am a pretty healthy eater and exercise 4-5 days a week. Now I will just have become a healthier eater. I will be following the doctors orders.
Thanks again for all your help!
15 Jill // Oct 17, 2009 at 8:03 am
Oh! I mean Kevin. Thanks for your help. Sorry.
16 Kevin // Oct 17, 2009 at 8:27 am
Jill, you unfortunately may fall into that category of people who develop this metabolic disease without having any of the common risk factors. In your case diet and exercise sounds like it will not be enough if the doctor diagnoses you. Definitely speak with the doctor about the different classes of medications that can help with diabetes, but also those to help the heart, arteries and kidneys. I am encouraged by some of the preventative medications that doctors are prescribing for people like me. Good luck.
17 Jean Thomason // Oct 19, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Hey David,
I am facing the Dr. on Nov. 4th. Last year at this time I was not diabetic but I am afraid that this year I will be. Is this site a current site or have you quit working with it. I noticed that some of the articles are from 2001
18 David Mendosa // Oct 19, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Dear Jean,
Good question. I have been writing about diabetes for more than 13 years. So some of my articles date back to 1996. I hope that every one of the more than 1000 articles that I have written about diabetes show the date. I keep writing at least two articles EVERY WEEK about diabetes, so the site certainly is current, while parts of it are not; therefore the dates on my articles.
Best regards,
David
19 Ellen // Nov 2, 2009 at 9:34 am
David-
I’m type 2- diagnosed at 6.8, and lost 44 pounds on a strict low carb diet (I am doing very little carbs- just veggies, seldom even eat fruit) and my weight is now fine. Not taking meds. A1C went to 5.9. I have been monitoring my BS very carefully the past few months and with the meter that Dr. Bernstein recomments. My numbers range from 69-89 random, and from 94-104 two hours after meals. (In the past 3 months- seldom hit 120 two hours after meals). And yet I just had an A1C test of 5.9 again. That is an average of 133. How can that be?
20 David Mendosa // Nov 2, 2009 at 9:45 am
Dear Ellen,
First, an A1C of 5.9 is equivalent of an average glucose level of 123, not 133. Second, which of the various meters that Dr. Bernstein has recommended from time to time are you using? Then, perhaps the particular meter that you are using isn’t accurate enough. I do know that the WaveSense meters, like the Jazz, always test higher than most other meters. When I approached company representatives about this, the acknowledged the fact and showed me that their meters test right in the middle of Clarke error grids and that some other meters regularly test lower.
Best regards,
David
21 Ellen // Nov 2, 2009 at 10:09 am
I’m using the Accu Chek Aviva. I called his office and that’s what they told me. Also have used the Accu-chek Compact Plus and the Freedom Lite. Have used all three at the same time to compare and sometimes they were close and sometimes not. Once, meter A was 117, meter B was 94. Immediately after tested again, and meter A was 100 and meter B was 104. Go figure.
22 Ellen // Nov 2, 2009 at 10:12 am
BTW- I was using a scale that Dr. Bernstein used for A1C averages. He says 5.9 is 133 but maybe he is off. Thanks
23 David Mendosa // Nov 2, 2009 at 10:15 am
Dear Ellen,
Yes, the Aviva is Dr. Bernstein’s current recommendation. But you do have to remember that NONE of our blood glucose meters are accurate enough.
Best regards,
David
24 Ellen // Nov 2, 2009 at 10:37 am
How frustrating. Makes me wonder why I bother testing and spending all that money on strips.
But thanks for your site and newsletter and your responses.
25 David Mendosa // Nov 2, 2009 at 10:51 am
Dear Ellen,
Good point. Considering how much you already know about how different foods effect your blood glucose levels and how well you are controlling your diabetes, maybe you need to test only in exceptional circumstances — while of course you continue to get regular A1C tests.
Best regards,
David
26 Ellen // Nov 2, 2009 at 11:00 am
Can I trouble you with one more question? Since you are also on a low carb diet, have you ever had any kidney problems? My blood tests always show a slightly high BUN, BUN Creatinine Ratio, and now a slightly low eGFR and slightly high hematocrit. Everything I’ve read points toward dehydration. (That could even cause a slight rise in A1C I think). I also have extremely dry eyes. But I urinate a lot because of the protein I eat. Can just drinking more water help? Dr. Bernstein swears eating more protein doesn’t hurt the kidneys.
27 David Mendosa // Nov 2, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Dear Ellen,
I have not had kidney problems. And do remember that we need either fat or carbohydrate for energy. Not protein. How much protein we need is still an open question. Dr. Hamdy, whom I wrote about at http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/17/41992/protein-carbs , probably represents a view at the upper limit. However, you may not need more than the 46 grams/day that most women need, according to the Institute of Medicine, as I wrote at http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/17/63252/protein-muscles
You might try drinking more water. Of course, it could just result in your peeing even more!
Best regards,
David
28 Tina // Nov 5, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Diagnosed with Type 2 after a 6.5 A1C and GTT with over 250 at 1 hour and 300 at 2 hours. That was 3 months ago. A new A1C report today shows 5.8 which is within the normal range for this lab. Is it possible to be diabetic and have normal A1C? I am so confused. My main problem is the post prandial sugars as my fasting is usually okay ranging from 105 – 124, but occasionally higher like in the 130 or 140. I can always tell if my sugar is higher because my vision blurs. Also, I have had several hypo spells recently, but didn’t check sugar, I just know that is what it was, because my mother is insulin dependent and I have seen her hypo episodes.
Appreciate any comments.
29 David Mendosa // Nov 6, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Dear Tina,
Good for you! Your A1C is in the normal range, which is about 4.5 to 6.0. So you are in the high end of normal. Remember that the medical profession uses the term “normal” as being the equivalent of what we generally think of as “average.” And average is not where we want to be, when perhaps half of all Americans are insulin resistant and therefore pre-diabetic. We want to be optimal — a different concept entirely.
Yes, it is not only possible but always true that we can have diabetes and have a normal — even an optimal — A1C. Good blood control doesn’t cure diabetes, because when we stop controlling it with diet, exercise (and drugs if necessary), our blood glucose levels will go sky high again. You and I have pushed our diabetes INTO REMISSION. That’s wonderful. But we always have to watch it so it doesn’t bounce back.
Always check your blood glucose when you go hypo! Otherwise, you don’t know how to get it back into normal range. The best way to do that is something I wrote about at http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/17/74755/glucose-tabs
I can understand if taking insulin made you go hypo. Taking the right amount of the right kind of insulin at the right time is really tricky at first. The only other drug that is likely to make you go hypo is one of the sulfonylureas, an old diabetes drug that most people think should be retired in place of newer and better drugs.
Best regards,
David
30 Ellen // Nov 6, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I had numbers similar to yours and didn’t think of myself as a “diabetic” for almost a year although I did stick to my low-carb diet. Then I started testing my normal husband after we ate meals. He could eat french fries and a milkshake. I could have a few of his fries and a tiny taste of his milk shake. My BS one hour later was 158. His was 104. That will remind you that you have diabetes.
I’m a newbie here, so I don’t pretend to be an expert, but wondering if you are on medication? If not, I don’t think you don’t need to worry as much about hypos. Let me just tell you my experience. When your body is used to your blood sugar being a little high- and then you bring it down, you may experience the feelings of hypo, e.g., hunger, the shakes etc. That’s adrenalin kicking in and signaling your brain to eat carbohydrates because your body wants you to get your BS back up a little. This is just an adjustment. I felt that way when my BS first went to 74 which I now realize is not really low. So after your body adjusts to having normal blood sugars you shouldn’t experience that “low” feeling. But like I said, if you’re on medication, that’s a completely different story.
31 David Mendosa // Nov 6, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Dear Ellen,
Two excellent points. I hope that Tina sees your message. Your second point was one that I would have made if I had remembered to write it!
Best regards,
David
32 Carol // Nov 10, 2009 at 8:26 am
I had and A1C level of 5.8 the first week of June 2009. I began Dr. Neil Benard’ program for reversing diabetes at the end of June. It is a vegan diet with very low fat and low glycemic index food. My A1C level yesterday, Nov. 9 was 5.1. It appears that fat is a problem in the control of diabetes. My results are inline with what Dr. Benard has to offer in his program and explained in his book. Yes, A1C of 6 or 7 is not acceptable for me, because I was having to increase my level of medication after 3 years of knowing I have diabetes. And yes I have been exercising too. This is just one example. It is working for me. Thanks for listening.
33 Ellen // Nov 13, 2009 at 10:13 am
David- I would love to see you comment on Carol’s comments above. I have been doing high protein/fat- low carb and getting good results. However I try to be open-minded to any possibility. However I can’t understand how eating less fat and more carbs (even the so-called good carbs) could do anything but raise my blood sugar (plus leave me hungry all the time). I have read Barnhard’s (Sp?) articles and I know he has a book- I think it’s called “Rerversing Diabetes” and he advocates a vegetarian diet. Everything I’ve read just contradicts that so I’ve just dismissed that as dangerous. But as I said, I want to keep an open mind. In fact, fat is supposed to be the one type of food that doesn’t cause a reaction from insulin. So would love to hear from you on that. Thanks
34 David Mendosa // Nov 13, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Dear Ellen,
I have read Dr. Barnard’s book and several of his articles. His vegan diet may work for some people, but, like you, I don’t see how it could because it is necessarily high in carbohydrates.
Best regards,
David
35 Carol // Nov 13, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Presumably, fat in the cells interfers with the action of insulin. I think we are all familiar with the observation, that as a person looses weight, they are better able to control their blood glucose level. And again, I am only one example and it is working for me.
Regarding the high carb diet, it involves eating food that is low on the glycemic index along with low fat. Both parts are important.
36 Ellen // Nov 13, 2009 at 5:29 pm
I don’t want to seem argumentative because I do believe everyone can learn different points of view from these forums. But fat in your cells is totally different from dietary fat. In fact, if you eat more fat and less carbs, you are more likely to burn fat, and not store fat in your cells. It’s when you eat a lot of fat and a lot of carbs that you will store the fat. Gary Taubes has some wonderful articles on fat and carbs. As for the GI, only some of the foods lowest on the index can be tolerated by diabetics. It recommends a lot of food that is very bad for diabetics (generally). For example, whole grains can raise BS levels by 4 or 5 times what they should be. The ADA continues to recommend oatmeal. The tiniest amount of steel cut oatmeal will send my BS up to 300. Pasta will act more slowly but over several hours will raise BS. I’ve seen some information on the glycemic index that I can try to dig up.
37 Carol // Nov 13, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Yes, every change in diet does not work for everyone, that is why there are so many different ones out there. All I am saying is that I read Dr. Barnard’s Book, studied which vegan foods would give me appropriate protein, looked at the GI and what foods were high and low and found food I like that fits the progam. I have been doing this since June and my A1C went from 5.8 to 5.1 so far and my glucose levels have been very near normal. I have also reduced my medication to one Avandamet pill per day. I had been following the ADA recomendations and they took me only so far. I did not read the book with the intention of doing anything different. But by the time I finished it, I had decided to try it. It works for me, lost weight, blood glucose under control, healthy and feeling great. I am making good wishes for you to find what works for you.
38 Ellen // Nov 14, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I didn’t realize you were taking medication. That makes a difference. You can tolerate more carbs with medication. But 5.1 is fabulous in any case!
39 Sally Ann Lycke // Nov 17, 2009 at 7:32 am
Boy! Am I ever glad to have found this site… I’ve been a diabetic since 1987 and find myself on more and more medication. Right now I’m taking Tolazamide, Metformin, Lisinopril, Lovostatin, and am now on 13 units of Lantus insulin each night. My last blood work resulted in a NORMAL glucose fasting but a high A1C of 9.5; my doctor wants me to retake the tests “because there must be some mistake.” My biggest problem is: what to eat for breakfast. The American Diabetes Association says I should be eating a small bagel with low-fat cream cheese; however, eating that would shoot my blood sugar levels up to almost 300! I usually eat brussel sprouts or butternut squash with a dab of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter…but I’m getting really tired of THAT. Any suggestions? The highest my blood sugar levels have ever been is 330, usually right around 100 (but Kaiser Permanente doctors always spout that blood sugar levels need to be under 100). Mine are–most of the time.
40 David Mendosa // Nov 17, 2009 at 8:33 am
Dear Sally,
I am likewise glad that you found this site! Unfortunately, to be taking more and more medicine seems to be the rule when you follow the ADA’s diet advice (I wrote about that at http://www.mendosa.com/blog/?p=211 ).
You understand, I’m sure, because of your comment on the bagel. Eggs in any form make a much better breakfast. Personally, I like mine poached in a little microwave poacher. Sometimes it’s just egg whites, sometimes whole eggs. Many people, of course, enjoy their eggs with bacon, ham, or sausage. All of these are very low carb and won’t raise your blood glucose levels much if at all. The British often like kippers and perhaps other fish for breakfast; another excellent choice.
Sometimes instead of eggs or in addition to them I have a very low carb (5 grams) drink of greens powder. Now, I know from my own experience, that most greens drinks taste terrible, but the one I drink is delicious. Please see http://www.mendosa.com/blog/?p=382
Best regards,
David
41 Tyra Somers // Nov 19, 2009 at 11:14 am
Hello,
What should I be shooting for as far as post prandial rise in blood sugar? When is the best time to measure?
Also, how do you tell if you are insulin resistant? And what happens to the extra insulin you produce?
Thanks,
Tyra
42 David Mendosa // Nov 19, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Dear Tyra,
Most (but not all) organizations say that a post prandial level of 140 mg/dl or less should be our goal two hours after the first bite of the meal.
Doctors can test to see if you are insulin resistant or not or if your pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin. If you are insulin resistant, your pancreas is pumping out too much insulin and it makes the glucose stay in your blood rather than being uses by the cells that need it. It is precisely this that causes all of the dire consequences of diabetes.
Best regards,
David
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