Some people enjoy roller coasters. My wife, for example. And my kids. And my friends. And my friends’ kids. Me, not so much. I find the steep open-air climb to be terrifying, perhaps out of anticipation of what’s sure to follow: The BIG DROP. As the coaster makes its way just past the summit and begins its rapid descent, I start to feel as though my guts have come loose and are headed straight for my throat. Sure, the whole ordeal is exhilarating, but I can think of a thousand more favorable ways to get my heart rate up. Like running from a charging bull or staring down Michael Jordan in a game of one-on-one.
Diabetes has its own version of a roller coaster. It comes in the form of blood sugars that spike very high after meals and then come careening back down. It is normal for blood sugar to rise a small amount after eating, even in people who are not living with diabetes.However, if the peaks are too high, they can affect your quality of life today and contribute to health problems down the road.
Why is the roller coaster a problem?
All of those peaks and valleys throughout the day can decrease your time in range (time spent within your target blood sugar range) and raise your HbA1c (A1C, a measure of long-term blood sugar control). In fact, research has shown that for those with an A1C below 7.5%, postmeal readings actually have a greater
