Getting to know the meal and feelings tag options can help you get the most out of your meter. After you check your blood sugar, your meter will offer tags for you to choose from. These tags make it easy to include more information on factors that may be impacting your blood sugar levels. Using them will help you and your healthcare team understand patterns and decide on treatment changes.
After your meter calculates your blood sugar level, it will introduce you to mealtime tags. Your job is to choose the tag that best describes your current situation. Even if your blood sugar was not in target range, it’s important to choose the correct mealtime tag to help you learn more about your trends.
Before Meal
When to use: When checking your fasting blood sugar (first thing in the morning), before eating a meal, or any time it has been more than 2 hours since you last ate.
Target range: 80-130 mg/dL
After Meal
When to use: After eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Aim to check 2 hours after the first bite of food.
Target range: 80-180 mg/dL
Snack/Other
When to use: After consuming something smaller than a meal, such as a snack, beverage other than water, or dessert.
Target range: 80-180 mg/dL
No Meal
When to use: After eating. Avoid using this tag before a meal. In most cases you will rarely need to use this tag. Some people use this tag when checking before bed or other special circumstances.
Target range: 80-180 mg/dL
For more information on blood sugar patterns, view The Quick-Start Checking Guide
Next, your meter will introduce you to feelings tags. Select the tag that best describes your current situation. Options include:
I feel fine
Choose this if you’re feeling normal.
I don’t feel well
Choose this if you are unwell, like if you have a cold or fever.
Light-headed
Choose this if you are feeling at all dizzy or light-headed.
Feeling Stressed
Choose this if you’re having a stressful day or moment.
After exercise
Choose this if you’ve finished a workout within the last 1-3 hours.
Ate more
Choose this if you ate a bigger meal or snack than you usually do.
Increased meds
Choose this if you have taken more diabetes medication than is normal for you.
Missed meds
Choose this if you didn’t take some or all of your meds in the past day.
Other
Choose this if none of the other options describe your situation.
Using tags can help you make positive changes to your routine. For example, you may notice that your blood sugar is high every time you’ve tagged “Feeling stressed.” This tells you that stress has a negative effect on your blood sugar. Perhaps you notice that your blood sugar is in range every time you’ve tagged “After exercise.” Now you know that movement has a positive effect on your blood sugar.
To learn more about how using tags can help you find a routine that is best for you, schedule a session with your coach or message a coach through the app.
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