Glucose basics
What is postprandial glucose and why should you track it?
Published: May. 13, 2025
3 min read
The content in this article should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider regarding your individual health needs.
You might have heard the term "postprandial glucose" before, but what does it actually mean? Simply put, "post" means after, and "prandial" refers to eating—so postprandial glucose refers to the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood after a meal.
What happens to glucose after eating?
Once you start eating, your body begins breaking down carbohydrates into glucose. This process causes your glucose levels to rise, usually starting about 10 minutes after your meal begins. The size of this increase, and when your glucose reaches its highest point, depends on several factors, including what you ate, how much you ate, and when you ate it.
For those without diabetes, glucose typically peaks about an hour after eating and returns to baseline within two to three hours. If you’re living with diabetes, your body may process glucose differently, causing higher peaks or prolonged elevations.
Why does tracking postprandial glucose matter?
Your glucose levels provide insight into your overall metabolic health, and postprandial glucose specifically helps you understand how efficiently your body responds to meals. Tracking postprandial glucose with a biosensor like Stelo helps you identify which meals or food combinations cause your levels to spike or stay elevated for too long. This can be a sign of reduced insulin sensitivity, meaning your body isn't using insulin as effectively to bring glucose back to a stable range. Over time, maintaining healthy postprandial glucose levels can support insulin sensitivity, which plays a key role in metabolic health.
Keeping glucose fluctuations within an optimal range may also support higher quality sleep, reduce the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, help curb cravings, support weight management, and even improve mental well-being. The more you understand your glucose trends, the better equipped you are to make confident choices that align with your glucose health goals.
What should postprandial glucose levels be?
Glucose targets can vary based on individual health goals and conditions. Organizations like the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the International Diabetes Federation suggest that glucose should be below 140 mg/dL two hours after eating. However, if you’re someone living with diabetes, the ADA recommends aiming for a post-meal blood glucose level under 180 mg/dL, though some may benefit from tighter target goals.
Understanding your glucose patterns
Glucose naturally rises and falls throughout the day, and some fluctuation is completely normal. The degree of this fluctuation informs you about what’s called your glycemic variability. What matters is understanding your own patterns: how high your glucose rises, how long it stays elevated, and whether adjustments to meals or activities help smooth out those fluctuations.
With tools like Stelo, you can track your glucose 24/7, revealing patterns that help you understand how different foods and habits affect you. Armed with this knowledge, it can be easier to make changes and develop the kinds of healthy habits that support your long-term metabolic health goals.
Curated & reviewed by: Kristyn Milburn
MSN, NP-C, BC-ADM, CDCES
MSN, NP-C, BC-ADM, CDCES
Kristyn Milburn is a dedicated nurse practitioner and diabetes care and education specialist, holding board certification in advanced diabetes management.
Written by: Stelo Team
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