Data from A Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System can be used to Guide Lifestyle Decisions.
Know your glucose targets.
Monitor your CGM readings for trends.
Learn how food affects your glucose levels.
Understand your CGM readings and maximize their benefits.
Check your glucose before and 2 hours after you eat to see how what you’ve eaten affects your glucose levels.
The amount of carbohydrates, protein, and fat in what you eat changes how your glucose is affected.
Choosing nonstarchy vegetables and whole grains will reduce the effect of your food on your glucose levels.
Although CGM is a useful technology, it is important to not let the continuous stream of data overwhelm you.
Check your averages every 2 weeks.
For most people with diabetes, time in range (TIR) is the percentage of time glucose is between 70 and 180 mg/dL. You should aim for a TIR of at least 70%.
Every 5% increase in TIR helps prevent diabetes complications.
This handout was published in Clinical Diabetes, Vol. 42, issue 3, 2024, and was adapted from the American Diabetes Association’s handout “Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Nutrition.” Visit the Association’s Patient Education Library at professional.diabetes.org/PatientEd for other free, downloadable handouts in several languages. Distribute these to your patients and share them with others on your health care team. Copyright American Diabetes Association, Inc., 2024.
