morning fasting numbers

There's not much difference in the 7 1/2 hours to the 8 hours.  A nondiabetic would have normal blood sugar just a couple of hours after eating and most nondiabetics would wake up in the 80's.  The fact that your blood sugar bounces around shows that you are probably insulin resistant and that the blood sugar will rise when you eat carbs.  Not all carbs are the same.  Some might be "slow acting" if they have a lot of fiber or are accompanied with fats maybe or protein.  Other carbs, like sugar or food made with flour (especially white flour) will make the blood sugar jump high quickly.  Some people with high morning fasting might be experiencing 'dawn phenomenon' when the body wants to wake up and get moving and so raises the blood sugar to be ready for the day.  Sometimes eating a protein snack before bed will help control that - but not in all people.  There are no absolutes unfortunately and what works for one person might not work for another which is why testing is your best way to figure out how you need to deal with this.  I think you're discovering that even a slice of pizza or a 'few' crackers will still cause a blood sugar rise, so you have to decide if you want to eat them or not.  I pick and choose very carefully and I never eat any of that on a daily basis.  In this way I allow myself to eat a couple of crackers or a slice of cake at a party or other special occasion.  Maybe you're allowing yourself too many carbs.  If you're not on diabetes meds and trying to control your blood sugar with diet and exercise, you would probably get better readings by staying away from food made with sugar and flour.

 

If you are on diabetes medication, there's always the possibility of going too low.  Someone on meds (especially insulin) has to be very careful about testing for that reason.  I am not on meds and I don't think Petunia is either, so having a low would most likely not be a problem.  Smurfy, those carb counts are very high for someone trying to control blood sugar with diet and exercise alone.  They may work for you but for someone not on meds, they would send the blood sugar soaring. 

Yup, the pizza crust would do it.  I think the chocolate is ok if you eat only a couple squares.  I have the Lindt 85% chocolate and it's pretty good as a treat now and then.  Sometimes, I'll put some natural peanut butter on the squares and make my own Reese's! 

Maybe I have the "dawn phenomenon".. Last night I was 91 two hours after a glass of wine and vegetable snack. Before bed I ate a chicken salad ( with no sugar mayo and about 5 walnut halves) and the one square of chocolate. This morning my fasting number is 105. Does this sound like dawn phenomenon? I'm not sure what to do next.

We have always had wine with dinner.  My grandparents made their own wine and this was something I grew up with.  I drink white wine.  I used to make lemoncello and fruit liqueurs but I don't drink them anymore because of the sugar content.   Even so we'd only drink liqueurs after special dinners.  In any case, the wine is not the fortified type like sherry or port.  I don't eat candy, not even the sugarless kind.  As a once in a while treat, I'll have some of the 85% chocolate but I've had the same package open since last summer and I only eat 1 or 2 squares at a time. 

Thank you Lanie and Big E for your insights.. Yes it was the 85% chocolate.
I had read the book __Protein Power__ by the Eades'. They mentioned some studies that wine (preferably dry, red... one glass) improves insulin sensitivity.. This ( combined with the heart benefits of red wine) is the reason I was giving it a try a few times a week. However, last night I was at a social gathering and had white wine..~ 5 ounces.
As for the dark chocolate, besides that I love it so much but only was eating the tiny amount a few times a week, it supposedly has health benefits: I just found this blurp online: Keith-Thomas Ayoob, an associate professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City who studies nutrition, said chocolate does have its benefits. "Several studies indicate that even a little chocolate can help reduce blood pressure and increase blood flow through the arteries. Both are good for heart health," he said. "It's nice to know that chocolate isn't bad for you, assuming you eat modest amounts and don't become overweight by overeating it."
So that had been my reasoning. I can see now it clearly was not working for me....So now I will try no wine and no chocolate and smaller evening snack to see if the morning numbers improve. I weigh 119 at 5.5" so have to work to keep my weight up so will see if I can do this with smaller snacks.
Thanks again for taking the time and effort to help me with this.. Oh, I forgot to mention, I also had 2 TB of vinegar with the snack last night. I"ve been adding in vinegar a few times a day. Last night I upped it from 1 TB to 2.

I don't take diabetes medication and I don't have to worry about going low if I have some wine.  Diabetics on diabetes medication do have to worry about going low, which is why they are clearly warned about alcohol consumption.  This is an individual choice and I see no reason to make snarky remarks about this.  Please read the Forum Rules.

4. No posts that attack, insult, "flame", defame, or abuse members or non-members.   Respect other members of the community and don’t belittle, make fun off, or insult another member or non-member.  Decisions about health and well-being are highly personal, individual choices.  "Flaming" and insults, however, will not be tolerated. Agree to disagree. This applies to both the forums and chat.