The State of Wellness: Glucose Tracking Is Having a Moment

If you’re not already using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in your practice, it’s time to start. Catch up or risk getting left behind, because glucose tracking for metabolic health is having a moment. From diabetes prevention to metabolic optimization and athletic performance, CGM is everywhere.

And it’s easier than ever to get started. With just a few clicks, direct-to-consumer CGMs like Abbott’s Lingo and Dexcom’s Stelo can be delivered straight to your doorstep, sometimes in less than 24 hours. I know, because I’ve tried them myself!

Earlier this year, Abbott released a white paper on the state of wellness, exploring how consumers understand glucose, metabolic health, and the expanding role of CGM in self-care. The report highlights how CGM data can empower individuals to improve energy, mood, focus, and long-term health outcomes.

Here are some of the key findings I found most relevant and how they align with my work in nutrition therapy, metabolic health, and diabetes care and education.

Leveraging Personalized Data

More Americans are tuning in to their bodies, using wearable technology, and seeking personalized health insights. We are fascinated with personalized data and bio wearables. Sleep trackers, cycle tracking, heart rate monitors, smart scales, and even daily metabolic monitoring—I have tried it all.

Yet research shows that most people do not fully understand how to interpret these insights in ways that drive real behavior change. Nearly one in three Americans last year felt overwhelmed or lacked the knowledge, data, or personalized feedback to reach their health goals. There is a big opportunity to help people better understand what their bodies are truly telling them.

I also find it fascinating that almost as many Americans plan to use wearables (20%) as plan to visit a doctor (23%) to reach their health goals. From a clinician’s perspective, leveraging these tools could be a game-changer for national health and a highly effective way to help people make lasting, positive change

Closing the Glucose Knowledge Gap

Lingo partnered with the marketing research firm Ipsos to survey more than 1,000 adults in the United States and the United Kingdom to better understand their top health goals and their awareness of glucose and metabolic health.

The research found that while many people focus on improving energy, wellness, and weight management, few fully understand how glucose fluctuations can impact these areas. Most do not link glucose and metabolic health to their overall well-being, even though nearly nine out of ten cases of poor health in the U.S. are associated with metabolic conditions.

Despite its importance, there is a significant knowledge gap around glucose among Americans:

- 4 out of 5 Americans do not see glucose levels as a helpful metric for building new health and wellness habits.
- Among those who have not been diagnosed with diabetes, this rises to 9 out of 10.
- Only 7% of people without diabetes actively track their glucose.
- 41% of people without diabetes are familiar with the connection between glucose and metabolic health.

These findings highlight a significant opportunity to expand education around the role of glucose in everyday health and demonstrate how greater awareness can support better long-term outcomes.

From Weight to Wellness: America’s 2025 Health Priorities

Unsurprisingly, half of respondents are focused on weight loss. More surprisingly, 40% are interested in better sleep (myself included).

Even more interesting: over 60% are motivated to make health changes based on how their body actually feels. It’s subjective, but incredibly important to everyday well-being. Perception is reality.

I was relieved to see that almost 50% reported that medical professionals help inform their health decisions, though I was definitely surprised to see AI tools like ChatGPT ranked so low. Overall, the Lingo report found that 1 in 3 Americans say taking control of their health and wellness is a top priority in 2025.

Glucose Monitoring and "Healthy" Eating

The research found that CGM use can completely change one’s perspective on food. Two out of three people discover that foods they thought were “healthy” actually have a surprising impact on their glucose. Even more striking, 95% go on to change habits to better support their metabolic health. Knowledge becomes action.

I see this in my own life. I’ve worn a CGM intermittently for eight years—through pre- and post-pregnancy, at different body weights and compositions, and even during marathon training. Tracking my glucose and insulin sensitivity has helped me understand how changes in my body affect my metabolism.

Over time, I’ve noticed shifts in my food tolerance. Most breads, rice, and pasta just aren’t “worth it” anymore. I stick with sweet potatoes, spaghetti squash, and plenty of fruit. I still hold onto my Friday morning croissant, as it’s one indulgence I’m not giving up!

From a nutritional perspective, the top three habit changes reported by members include:

- Eating less sugar (the number one change)
- Building more balanced plates
- Avoiding late-night snacking

These small but consistent changes help people take actionable steps toward better metabolic health and improved daily energy management.

Sleep, Stress, and Glucose

I was surprised to see that many Lingo users are interested in making the connection between sleep, rest, stress, and their glucose.

We often talk about lifestyle medicine, but it’s powerful when consumers have a tangible way to see cause and effect. They also recognize how factors like injury, illness, anxiety, and emotional stress can contribute to poor glucose tolerance.

Glucose Insights in Action

Ninety-five percent of Lingo members report that they are building new habits based on what they’re learning from their glucose data. This includes strategies to better understand and manage hunger, stay focused, boost energy, and improve overall well-being.

Movement is a key factor. Many experts recommend “snacks” of activity throughout the day to help regulate glucose. I’ve incorporated these insights into my own life. I now have a walking pad under my desk and will sometimes walk up to six miles a day between client sessions.

Is Glucose Monitoring the Future of Personal Wellness?

Lingo says “yes,” but only time will tell.

These findings raise important questions for anyone looking to improve their health: How can glucose data be made more accessible and actionable? Which habits have the greatest impact on daily energy and long-term metabolic health? And how can individuals use personalized insights to make informed, lasting changes?

For a deeper dive into these insights and to explore more data on metabolic health trends in 2025, you can download the full report here.

Integrating a CGM into Your Practice

If you’re looking to bring continuous glucose monitoring insights into your practice and help your clients take actionable steps toward better metabolic health, I can help. From program design to interpreting data and guiding habit changes, I can work with you to create a seamless approach.

Reach out to me to learn how we can integrate CGM programs effectively and empower your clients with personalized health insights.