Quick answer: in people without diabetes, blood sugar is normally below 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) two hours after a meal. For people with diabetes, a common target is below 180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L) one to two hours after starting a meal. Your doctor may set a different goal for you.
Normal ranges at a glance
| Time | Without diabetes | Usual target with diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting (8+ hours without food) | 70 to 99 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L) | 80 to 130 mg/dL (4.4 to 7.2 mmol/L) |
| 1 to 2 hours after a meal | Below 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) | Below 180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L) |
| Before bed | About 90 to 140 mg/dL | Set by your doctor |
For people without diabetes, a typical rise after eating is brief, and levels return to the fasting range within two to three hours.
When the numbers suggest a problem
Doctors use a two-hour glucose tolerance test, where you drink a measured sugar solution, to classify results:
- Below 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L): normal
- 140 to 199 mg/dL (7.8 to 11.0 mmol/L): prediabetes
- 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher: consistent with diabetes
One high reading doesn’t make a diagnosis. Diabetes is confirmed with repeat testing or an A1C of 6.5% or higher. Read about the normal A1C level for how these tests relate.
Quick conversion guide
To change mg/dL to mmol/L, divide by 18. To go the other way, multiply by 18.
- 70 mg/dL is about 3.9 mmol/L
- 100 mg/dL is about 5.6 mmol/L
- 126 mg/dL is about 7.0 mmol/L
- 140 mg/dL is about 7.8 mmol/L
- 180 mg/dL is about 10.0 mmol/L
- 200 mg/dL is about 11.1 mmol/L
When to check
If you have diabetes, your doctor may suggest checking one to two hours after the first bite of a meal. Checking at the same time after different meals shows you which foods raise your sugar most. If you don’t have diabetes, there’s usually no need to test after meals unless your doctor asks.
Why blood sugar spikes after meals
The amount and type of carbohydrate matter most. Sweet drinks, white bread, large portions of rice and sweets raise it quickly. Eating them alone, without protein, fiber or fat, makes the spike sharper. Stress, illness, poor sleep and some medicines also push readings up.
How to reduce after-meal spikes
- Walk for 10 to 15 minutes after eating
- Start the meal with vegetables or protein, and eat the carbohydrate last
- Choose fiber-rich carbs such as oats, lentils, beans and whole grains
- Reduce portion size of rice, roti and potatoes, and fill up on vegetables
- Skip sugary drinks
- Take medication as prescribed
See our type 2 diabetes grocery list for foods to build meals around.
When to call a doctor
Contact your doctor if readings after meals are often above 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L), if you have symptoms such as heavy thirst, frequent urination or blurred vision, or if you feel shaky and sweaty after eating, which can signal low blood sugar. Seek emergency care for confusion, vomiting or fast breathing with very high readings.
Frequently asked questions
Is 150 mg/dL after eating normal?
For someone without diabetes it’s a little above the usual 140 mg/dL limit. One reading isn’t a diagnosis, but repeated readings like this are worth discussing with a doctor.
What is a normal blood sugar level two hours after eating for adults over 60?
The same general targets apply, though doctors may set individual goals depending on health and medicines.
Why is my sugar high after a healthy meal?
Portion size, stress, poor sleep, illness and some medicines can raise levels even when the food is healthy.
Cura Editorial Team
Contributor at Cura Health Journal.