So if you are going to eat just after getting up then yes, you test your Fasting Sugar Number, note that.

Then take your Insulin at whatever (time) has been prescribed "before" you eat - so typically 15 to 30 minutes with a mealtime (bolus) insulin.

Then you eat and test 2 HOURS after you have taken your first bite of the meal.

That will tell you a couple of things. First, what you blood sugar was "before you medicated or ate" and then if the amount of insulin you took was sufficient (or too much or two little) for the meal you ate.

We measure at 2 hours after our (first bite of food) to allow both the food to be digested and get fully into our system AND for the insulin to do it's entire job.

PS - I made the assumption that you are talking about a "meal-time" (Bolus) insulin. If instead you are on a "once a day" (Basil) insulin then while the process would essentially be the same, you wouldn't have to wait after taking it.

Bolus insulins are meant to help you metabolize the meal you are eating "right now" - they are fast acting and don't last very long. Basil insulins are very slow acting, last all day and it doesn't matter if you eat right away or later or not at all and they work to help a little all day - not designed to metabolize a "specific meal".

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Ok, so that's a "Basil" insulin that WON'T immediately metabolize the meal you are "about to eat".

It's a "one a day" shot to help will your sugar's "all day" - so it won't really knock down the sugar if you eat too much at a given meal - it's not that kind of insulin.

Your 2 hour after eating (test) will show you if you ate too many carbs in that meal to help you adjust (up or down) "how much" you can eat for that meal, but it won't effect any decision the Doc may make about your insulin.

So obviously you have been prescribed to take your dose in the morning (just before bed is also a common time - that is mostly so you "form a habit" - since it is long acting I lasts all day regardless of when you take it).

That means you can just take it and forget it and either eat "right away" or at any interval you want after taking the shot.

Insulin aside, just in general it's best if you eat "something" within 1 hour of waking up. It helps kick start your metabolism for the day. Our metabolism does slow down as the day goes on so it is better, for overall sugar control (with or without medication) if you eat upon waking and earlier in the day.

So do eat breakfast within an hour of getting up and don't skip lunch.

Thanks @A DiabetesTeam Member

Diabetes Sucks, I simply try to help both myself and others "make it suck less"

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A Diabete...

Good morning, Graham. You have helped me so much with your knowledge of Diabetes. I followed your advice and take Probiotics, increased water intake and am feeling better all around. I eat small amounts. Breakfast is usually fruit or cereal. Lunch is around 11am and dinner is from 4pm -6pm. I have an Activia snack at bedtime. God bless you.😇