How to Chart Blood Sugar Levels
Diabetics work hard in order to keep their blood sugar at an appropriate level. This often includes identifying trigger foods that cause one's blood sugar to rise rapidly, or identifying activities that cause one's blood sugar levels to fall quickly. Charting blood sugar levels is a great way to identify natural fluctuations and trigger foods.
- Decide where you will keep your chart. Filling in your blood sugar chart needs to become a regular part of your health care routine. Choose a location for your chart that is convenient as well as visible. Seeing your chart regularly will help you to develop the habit of charting your sugar levels more quickly than you will if you kept the chart out of sight.
- Purchase a dedicated blood sugar chart notebook. Your blood sugar chart will be lengthy, so a notebook or notepad is an ideal medium to use. This will allow you to keep your charts organized and together so that you can easily review them with your doctor.
- Note what times you check your blood sugar each day. Oftentimes, diabetics must test their blood sugar levels before and after meals, as well as periodically throughout the day. Quickly list what times of the day you test your blood sugar. Use this as a guide when creating your blood sugar chart.
- Create columns for your blood sugar chart. You will need to create four columns across the top of the first page of your blood sugar chart. Label these columns "date," "time," "sugar level" and "trigger foods."
- Complete your chart each time you test your blood sugar. Keep your blood sugar testing kit near your notebook so that it is convenient. Keep a pen handy, as well. Each time you test your blood sugar, quickly fill in the date, time and test results. If you notice a quick spike in your blood sugar levels, write down the food that you most recently ate.