Having too much sugar in the blood for long periods of time can cause serious health problems if it’s not treated. Hyperglycemia can damage the vessels that supply blood to vital organs, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, vision problems, and nerve problems.

The concentration of glucose in a person’s blood can increase after they have eaten a meal containing lots of carbohydrates. The concentration of glucose in the blood is regulated by the action of the hormones insulin and glucagon . These hormones are made in the pancreas and act on cells in the liver.

When blood sugar drops too low, the level of insulin declines and other cells in the pancreas release glucagon, which causes the liver to turn stored glycogen back into glucose and release it into the blood. This brings blood sugar levels back up to normal.

Many people won’t start to experience symptoms from high blood sugar until their levels are at 250 mg/dL or higher. The highest blood sugar level that’s considered safe will depend on the person and whether they have diabetes, but will typically be between 160 to 240 mg/dL.

Glucose builds up in the blood if there is not enough insulin to move glucose into your cells. During an episode of ketoacidosis, it is common for blood sugar to rise to a level over 400 milligrams per deciliter. When blood sugar levels are so high, some sugar “overflows” into the urine.

So it’s most commonly done before breakfast in the morning; and the normal range there is 70 to 100 milligrams per deciliter. Now when you eat a meal, blood sugar generally rises and in a normal individual it usually does not get above a 135 to 140 milligrams per deciliter.

Try one the following healthful snacks before bed to help manage blood sugar levels and satisfy nighttime hunger:

• A handful of nuts.
• A hard-boiled egg.
• Low-fat cheese and whole-wheat crackers.
• Baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, or cucumber slices.
• Celery sticks with hummus.
• Air-popped popcorn.
• Roasted chickpeas.

But chicken can often be battered and fried, coated in a sweet glaze, or swimming in a sugary sauce. This is bad news if you have diabetes and want to limit your intake of carbs and sugar. Chicken can be a great option for people with diabetes. All cuts of chicken are high in protein and many are low in fat.