Blood sugar naturally changes throughout the day, but in people with diabetes, these changes may be more severe and lead to excessive increases or drops in blood sugar. Certain dietary and behavioral habits in the evening and at night can intensify these fluctuations. A nutritionist has examined common behaviors and suggested strategies to maintain blood sugar stability throughout the night.
Dietary Habits and Meal Timing
Skipping meals or eating at irregular hours can increase the risk of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. For people with diabetes, regular meal timing is more important, as the timing of medication or insulin may also depend on meals. It is recommended to have dinner about three to four hours before bedtime. Additionally, the meal composition should include complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats to ensure blood sugar rises more slowly and remains stable for a longer duration.
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Alcohol Consumption and Physical Activity Impact
Drinking alcohol late at night can cause a drop in blood sugar a few hours later, especially if the person consumes alcohol on an empty stomach. Additionally, having a very large dinner or snack just before bed can lead to increased blood sugar, particularly if these foods are high in simple carbohydrates. Therefore, it is better to finish eating a few hours before bedtime.
A light walk after dinner can help reduce blood sugar before sleep, but physical activity can affect blood sugar levels for several hours. In some individuals, especially when the intensity of exercise is higher than usual, the risk of low blood sugar during the night increases. In such cases, consuming a snack before or after exercise can help maintain blood sugar balance.
Blood Sugar Management and Medication Use
Overcompensating for low blood sugar before bed with a large amount of simple carbohydrates may have the opposite effect and lead to excessively high blood sugar. Consume about 15 grams of carbohydrates and check blood sugar after 15 minutes. If blood sugar is low, repeat this process until blood sugar levels rise above 70 mg/dL.
Forgetting diabetes medications can also lead to increased blood sugar. In such cases, there is a need to review the medication schedule. People with diabetes should check their blood sugar at appropriate times as recommended by their doctor. Continuous glucose monitoring devices can also help identify patterns in blood sugar changes and factors that affect them.
Measuring blood sugar before bed provides important information. If blood sugar is low, consuming a carbohydrate-containing snack can help prevent severe drops in blood sugar during the night. Generally, blood sugar below 70 mg/dL is considered low blood sugar.
Symptoms of High and Low Blood Sugar
Common symptoms of low blood sugar include shaking, irritability, confusion, increased heart rate, and sweating. On the other hand, high blood sugar can be accompanied by symptoms such as unusual increased hunger, drowsiness, blurred vision, and dry mouth. Paying attention to dietary habits and nighttime activities, along with regular blood sugar monitoring, can help identify factors affecting blood sugar fluctuations.
Individuals who have recently been diagnosed with diabetes should learn how to control their blood sugar daily. Diet, medications, and the correct method of measuring blood sugar are among the aspects that should be adjusted with the help of a doctor and treatment team.
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