Alison who has prediabetes has been trying a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) called the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus, which she has self-funded. (You wear the CGM sensor on your body and check the readings on your mobile phone or a reader).
Benefits
It’s been a huge eye-opener using the Freestyle Libre 2 Plus. And I’m so glad I did it. I am so much better informed, and I have a much better understanding of my prediabetes.
Before, I felt I was working in the dark about how prediabetes affects me as an individual. I was hoping I was eating or doing the right thing, but I didn't have any evidence one way or another and my annual blood sugar levels were creeping up.
I can read my blood sugar readings on my mobile phone all the time, and I can look back at readings for the past 7 days. (If the phone loses connection, I can scan the sensor on my arm to reset it).
“The thing that surprised me most was how my body responds so differently to what I eat. I keep finding out new things.”
Some things amazed me. Eating just two rice cakes sent my blood sugar on a huge spike, which I wouldn’t have expected. Yet a small ice cream at the theatre hardly made a dent — although that wouldn’t be the same for everyone.
Some things I eat send my blood sugar up — where I’ll get a quick ping on my CGM — and then it comes down again. With other foods, it can go up and stay up for a significant amount of time.
Knowing how different foods affect my blood sugar means I can adjust what I’m eating to what works for me. I’m still eating plenty and eating well but I’m eating more of the things that don’t have such an effect on my blood sugar.
And I’m losing weight again which I’m pleased about.
My BMI was in the overweight range when I was diagnosed with prediabetes. I’m now in the middle of the BMI healthy range. But I would like to be in the lower end of the healthy range. I’m hoping that next year when I have my annual blood test, my HbA1c will be going down or at least staying stable.
"I’ve cut out snacking completely. Every time I eat, I can see my blood sugar levels go up, so I’m having three meals a day. I’ve also noticed that when I eat food together, for me, it seems to prevent a sugar spike. When I ate fruit by itself, I would get a sugar spike."
The only thing is I’m being a little obsessive. I eat something and then check my reading and then check again. But once I understand what foods don't tend to give me blood sugar spikes, I won't need the CGM any longer. But I’m quite prepared to go on for several months if necessary, so I can get as much information as possible.
The CGM has shown me that some of what I've read about prediabetes applies to me but other things don’t seem to.
Limitations
I find it useful to log what I eat when using the CGM. It would be great if I could keep my food diary on the CGM app. I have to use another app to record the actual food I eat.
What led to you using tech?
A friend with type 2 diabetes who is using insulin suggested using a CGM. He uses one all the time, and he said it might be useful to check if some of the things I was doing was right for me.
I was trying to do the ‘right thing’, but when I was first diagnosed my HbA1c was 42mmol/l. The first year it then went up to 43mmol/l and the second year it was 44mmol/. And it motivated me to do something because obviously I wasn’t doing enough.
I’m on my third week. I pay about £56 for two weeks (June 2026) which for me is a good investment. It was easy to use, I downloaded the FreeStyle Libre app on my phone. I had seen my friend’s CGM so I knew what to do and what it looked like.
Find out more information about CGM use by people with prediabetes. Remember that other factors apart from food, drink and activity can cause small fluctuations in a person’s blood sugar levels. This can include too little sleep, hormones, caffeine and underlying medical conditions.
Rating: 5/5
