Glucose monitors are all the rage... but are they worth it? We asked four very different people to put them to the test!
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From slumping into a 'food coma' after meals, to a bad night's sleep and even mood swings, our glucose levels are responsible for an awful lot.
But they needn't disrupt our entire day because we can manage them through our lifestyle choices. The more sugary, carbohydrate-heavy foods we consume, the more glucose (blood sugar) our bodies produce.
And that glucose spike, followed by a 'crash' can have a big impact on the way we feel.
Global healthcare leader Abbott has produced Lingo, a biosensor, app and coaching programme to help us better understand our glucose level and how it responds to our daily lives.
Lingo tracks glucose and provides personalised insights and customised coaching, helping people manage their glucose, to pursue better sleep, mood, focus, energy, and reduce unpredictable cravings, with the aim of creating healthier habits.
The Lingo system consists of a biosensor, an app and a coaching programme, which provides personal insights from your body
The problem is, what causes a spike in one person, might not in another so it can be difficult to know what affects you.
Not any more. Global healthcare leader Abbott has produced Lingo, a biosensor, app and coaching programme to help us better understand our glucose levels and how they respond to our daily lives.
Lingo tracks glucose and provides personalised insights and customised coaching, helping people manage their glucose, to pursue better sleep, mood, focus, energy, and reduce unpredictable cravings, with the aim of creating healthier habits.
But does it work? We asked four people to try it out for two weeks...
IT'S PUT MY MIND AT REST
Lori Fisher, 55, is a tour guide who lives in Blackheath, south east London. She says:
I've had a mainly plant-based diet for over 40 years and I've always been worried about the amount of sugary carbs I eat. As I get older, I find I get tired more and I wonder if it's age or something else.
Lori, 55, from Blackheath, south east London, has learnt which foods affect her blood glucose
But Lingo surprised me by showing how stable my glucose level is. For the first week, I ate my normal diet which is heavy in rice, potatoes and bread, but while my glucose level would climb slightly, it always stayed within the healthy range.
With the second week, though, came surprises. A large bowl of porridge – with no sugar – sent it soaring way beyond my 'healthy' range. And a plate of carrots and parsnips that needed using up also sent it crazy.
Luckily I didn't experience any 'crash' afterwards but it has made me a little wary of eating these foods even though I now know any tiredness I experience is just me getting older!
IT'S BEEN INVALUABLE FOR MY TRAINING
Teacher Ben Fielding, 29, lives in Middlesbrough with his wife Natalie and son Oscar, three. He says:
Runner Ben, 29, from Middlesbrough, has swapped petrol station sweets for bananas
I've entered next year's Great North Run and I know a lot of athletes monitor their glucose level for endurance training so I hoped this would help identify areas for improvement.
Before, if I got my fuelling wrong, I didn't realise until it was too late – I'd be 30 minutes from home and exhausted so have to spend £50 on sweets in a petrol station to get home. That's horrific.
But with this, I could see the glucose peak then steadily decline, learning how it feels before it gets too low, so I can eat a banana to keep going.
Rather than training to exhaustion then have to have two or three days rest, I realise now when I've trained enough and that helps my recovery.
I've used fitness trackers for years but this was next level. Now I feel my runs are more productive.
I was surprised at how unobtrusive the Lingo biosensor was – I thought it would get in the way and catch on my sleeve but it didn't. It was rock solid, even with my three-year-old climbing all over me.
The results were interesting – it's taught me I don't always have to push myself to the limit…
SPAG BOL IS A NO-NO FOR ME!
Laura Wood, 40, is a stay-at-home mum to daughters, aged 17 and two. She lives in Holywell, North Wales. She says:
Mum Laura, 40, from Holywell, is now trying to get into healthy eating and exercise
My daughter Lacey has Down's Syndrome but despite this, she's so healthy - she's mobile, chatty and into everything.
This means I'm on the go from the moment I get up until I go to bed so I reach for sugary food throughout the day – I know carrots are more beneficial than carbs but, in the moment, it's easier to reach for a chocolate bar.
Pasta was a bit of a shock. I had a spaghetti bolognese one day and my glucose level shot up to 8.9 mmol/L whereas 7.8 mmol/L was the top of my 'healthy' range.
It's also helped me realise that my eating late – I don't eat dinner until at least 8pm – then sitting on the sofa feeling sluggish rather than burning it off, is probably what's making me so restless overnight.
So over the next couple of weeks I'm going to try to get back into healthy eating and regular exercise, although with a toddler, it's easier said than done!
I NOW EAT BEFORE THE GYM
Carey Edwards, 26, is a contact centre worker from south Wales. She says:
Carey, 26, from south Wales, now tries to eat to keep her glucose levels more stable
Lingo was so easy to set up – you just download the app and follow the instructions. I was scared to put the biosensor on – I thought it would hurt – but I didn't really feel it.
Within hours, I got my first surprise. It was bonfire night so I went out and ate a hot dog and my glucose level shot up! I had no idea how much sugar was in them!
The next day the low-calorie chocolate bar I always eat sent it up as did some yoghurt. Strangely, fast food, like chips and burgers, didn't.
What I did notice was that after a spike, I would feel quite tired and my glucose level would be very low.
They were also low if I went to the gym without eating - I'd feel sluggish. Now I make sure I eat something before I go and I do feel more awake.
At work, I now eat low-cal chocolate that doesn't spike me as much and I've worked out my day so I don't crash.
Try Lingo today for under £60!
The Lingo system is not for medical use and intended for users 18 years and older. Lingo is not intended for diagnosis or management of any disease including diabetes. The Lingo programme does not guarantee that everyone will achieve the same results as individual responses may vary. It is best to speak to your doctor for advice on starting any diet or exercise regime or if you have an eating disorder or a history of eating disorders. © 2024 Abbott. All rights reserved. The biosensor housing, Lingo, and related marks are marks of the Abbott group of companies. Other marks are the property of their respective owners.
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