Using a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) to optimise your diet
Thinking of using a Continuous Glucose Monitor? Watch the above video for a demonstrate on how to apply one and what information the monitor can provide.
A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a medical device that tracks a person's blood glucose levels in real-time. It measures glucose levels through a sensor inserted under the skin, usually on the abdomen or arm, and displays the data on a receiver or a compatible smart device.
In this video we show you how to apply a CGM. It's so easy anyone can do it! Stay tuned to see which foods cause large spikes in our blood glucose levels.
Are CGMs for everyday people? (Like us.)
CGMs are mainly used by diabetics who have trouble controlling their blood sugar levels. Recently, CGMs have hit the mainstream with more everyday people looking to explore how their bodies respond to certain types of food: Some foods will create larger sugar spikes than others.
Are large blood sugar spikes bad for people without diabetes?
While large blood sugar spikes are generally not a concern for people without diabetes, they can still have negative effects on health, particularly if they occur frequently.
When blood sugar levels rise quickly, the body produces a surge of insulin to help bring them back down. In people without diabetes, this usually happens naturally and is not a cause for concern. However, if blood sugar levels consistently rise and fall rapidly due to poor diet, overconsumption of carbohydrates, or other factors, the body may become less responsive to insulin over time, leading to insulin resistance and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Furthermore, large blood sugar spikes can cause inflammation in the body, which has been linked to a range of chronic health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and some forms of cancer.
Therefore, while occasional blood sugar spikes are not necessarily harmful to people without diabetes, it's still important to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle to prevent frequent or excessive spikes in blood sugar levels. This includes limiting intake of sugary or refined foods, incorporating physical activity into daily life, and maintaining a healthy weight.
What is Earthy30?
Earthy30 is here to help you build a healthy habit around your diet while layering helpful lifestyle support on top. Start by eating 30 different plant-based foods each week for a month. Learn more below and by take our challenge.
Earthy30 is diet agnostic, which means that you can be an omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, vegan, keto-lover, rainbow-eater or just about anything apart from pure carnivore and take our challenge. That said, you still don’t want massive high blood sugar levels and energy slumps after certain meals—which is why you might want to try a CGM.
Here are some brands that sell CGMs:
Abbot, featured in this video.
