How soon after a meal should a diabetic check his blood sugar level?

After having a meal, a diabetic should wait from one to two hours before checking his blood sugar level, relates the American Diabetes Association. The blood sugar level reading should be below 180 mg/dl. However, the number of times a person needs to test his glucose levels throughout the day can be dependent on the diabetes type, states the Mayo Clinic.

People with type 1 diabetes may need to check their glucose levels at times that include prior to meals or snacks, after exercising and before going to bed. People with type 2 diabetes, who take insulin, may have to test their blood sugar levels two to three time per day such as before meals. The normal range for blood sugar levels before a meal should be between 70 to 130 mg/dl, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Testing and tracking the blood sugar levels on a daily basis is important for diabetics because it can help to control the condition and avoid any possible complications associated with diabetes, reports the Mayo Clinic.