Follow a reasonable diet and regular mealsEat a varied diet with light flavors, and limit alcohol and tobacco. Whole grains, mixed beans, and vegetables are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They increase satiety and, most importantly, help stabilize postprandial blood glucose.A useful tip: follow the order of vegetables first, then protein, and finally staple foods during meals — this helps with glycemic control.
Stay active after mealsPeople with diabetes can do moderate-intensity exercise after meals, such as brisk walking, table tennis, or badminton.
Choose the right glucose-lowering medicationsFor patients with consistently high postprandial blood glucose, medications specifically targeting postprandial hyperglycemia can be considered.These drugs lower postprandial glucose promptly and appropriately, with a low risk of hypoglycemia.However, the specific drug and dosage must be prescribed by a doctor — do not self-medicate.
Seven-point self-monitoring of blood glucoseA recommended method for blood glucose monitoring is the “seven-point profile”:measure blood glucose at three before-meal times, three 2-hour post-meal times, and at bedtime.Note that the 2-hour postprandial interval starts from the first bite of food.
Patients with poor control or discomfort: full-day monitoring 2–3 times per week.
Patients with good control: fasting and 2-hour postprandial glucose once per week.
If possible, a continuous glucose monitoring system is more convenient, providing real-time, accurate glucose readings.
Be alert to hypoglycemiaPatients with diabetes who already have heart disease or cerebral infarction must pay special attention to hypoglycemia.Severe hypoglycemia can trigger life-threatening events such as myocardial infarction or stroke.Therefore, avoiding hypoglycemia should be the top priority before aiming for target glucose levels.These patients may consult their doctor to appropriately relax their glycemic targets.
Control blood pressure and lipids togetherFor diabetic patients with cardiovascular disease, blood pressure and lipids must be closely monitored:
Blood pressure: ideally below 130/80 mmHg
LDL-cholesterol: preferably below 1.4 mmol/L