Glucose Is Your Body's Fuel

Glucose is a simple sugar. It comes from carbohydrates, or carbs, in foods like bread, rice and fruit. After you eat, your body breaks those carbs down into glucose.

Glucose is your body's main source of energy. Think of it as fuel, the way a car runs on gas.

Insulin is like a key. It opens the doors of your cells, the tiny parts that make up your body.

After a meal, glucose enters your blood. Insulin turns the lock so glucose can move in. Inside the cells, glucose becomes energy.

In type 1, the pancreas, the organ that makes insulin, makes little or none. With too few keys, glucose stays in the blood.

Blood sugar does not stay still all day. It rises and falls with meals, activity, stress and sleep.

These ups and downs are expected. One high or low reading does not tell the whole story. Patterns over days and weeks matter more.

Key takeaways

• Glucose is your body's main source of energy, and it comes from food.
• Insulin helps glucose move from your blood into your cells.
• Blood sugar rises and falls through the day with meals, activity and sleep.

Try it

Today, note the carb foods and times for your next two meals, along with any readings you take. Ask your care team how often to check.