Hi Brenda Ashton,

Actually it is the other way around...type II diabetes affects "after meal" blood sugars.  Your blood sugar will likely be elevated after a meal if you have diabetes.  If you are on oral medication instead of insulin, it may be high even if you take your medication regularly. 

You may need to cut back on the amount of carbohydrate you are eating (I do not recommend eliminating whole grains...I recommend cutting back on how many grains you eat and avoid sugar, sugary foods including natural sugars such as honey, and refined grains such as white bread, low fiber cereals, white pasta, etc. Also avoid overeating fruit.  Fruit is good for you, but do not eat too much at once and try to eat it with a meal containing protein (meat, cheese, peanut butter) to slow the digestion and absorption.

If cutting back (not eliminating, just reducing) your intake of carbohydrates does not help control your blood sugar, it may be time for you to change or increase your medication. Diabetes is a progressive disease and many people eventually have to increase their medication or try alternate meds such as insulin.

Best of luck,

Monica M. Skidmore, MS, RD, LDN