Blood sugar monitors are everywhere right now. But what do they really show us? Are they worth the money? And can they actually help with digestive issues like bloating, pain, reflux, and erratic toilet habits?
My experience
A few weeks ago, I was approached by Lingo, a continuous blood sugar monitor company, and asked if I’d like to trial their monitor for two weeks. I jumped at the chance. I was curious to see what my own blood sugar levels were up to, and I have several clients who I feel could benefit from tracking theirs.
It arrived in the post, and while it was easy to apply, I did get my husband to do it for me (being a bit of a baby, I admit). Turns out, it didn’t hurt at all. The app was simple to download and use, with different challenges designed to teach you how to balance your blood sugar. You log all your food, noting the time and what you ate, as well as activities like exercise, stress, and energy levels.
The biosensor lasts for two weeks, so I decided to experiment—playing around with different foods, meal timings, and activity levels to see how my blood sugar responded. One of those weeks happened to be half-term, meaning my eating was all over the place, which made things even more interesting!
What they show
The basic principle behind a continuous blood sugar monitor is to show you how your body responds to food, activity, and stress. It provides a guideline for healthy blood sugar ranges and highlights spikes and dips. The Lingo app assigns points when your blood sugar increases rapidly or drops quickly. The aim? Keep your score low and your blood sugar steady.
Blood sugar naturally rises after eating, but foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates can cause it to spike rapidly. This excess sugar in the blood is dangerous, so the pancreas releases insulin to move the sugar into storage—primarily as fat around the organs. If the spike is too high, it often crashes too low, leaving you feeling shaky, hangry, and reaching for more sugar.
The monitor helps identify which foods cause these spikes (which can vary from person to person) and which ones keep blood sugar stable. It also tracks the impact of exercise (which helps use up sugar and balance blood levels) and stress (which triggers the release of sugar into the blood—thanks, fight-or-flight mode!). Cue the unnecessary panic: Quick, run! There's a sabre-tooth tiger! Oh wait, it’s just my kid refusing to put his shoes on…
How This Supports Digestive & Overall Health
So, what does all this have to do with digestion? A lot!
Stable Energy & Weight – Balanced blood sugar levels mean more stable energy, better concentration, and easier weight management (hello, flatter tummy!)
Hormonal Balance & Cardiovascular Health – Blood sugar stability plays a key role in hormone regulation and heart health.
Bile Flow – Fluctuating blood sugar and insulin levels can lead to sticky bile. Bile, produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, helps digest fats and supports gut health. If blood sugar is erratic, bile doesn’t flow properly, leading to sluggish digestion.
Liver Health – Excess sugar storage as fat can put stress on the liver, which is crucial for digestion.
Gut Microbiome Balance – A diet high in sugar and refined carbs can disrupt the gut microbiome, promoting the growth of unwanted bacteria and yeasts, leading to bloating, discomfort, and inflammation.
My Results
So, what did I learn?
Chocolate macaroons in the afternoon? Big spike.
Porridge with nuts, seeds, and a few dates? Stable until lunch (heavy on the nuts and seeds, light on the oats).
Eggs for breakfast with rocket and avocado? Gold standard.
My protein smoothie with cherries and banana? Good with protein powder, not so good without.
Lunches varied—fish, salad, and air-fried courgettes kept my blood sugar steady, but vegetable soup with lentils, beans, and gluten-free bread? Not great.
My biggest spikes? Family dinners—gluten-free garlic bread with pasta and lentil Bolognese, and a veggie stir-fry with tofu and white rice (thanks, kids!).
Walking for 10 minutes after meals helped significantly.
When my blood sugar was erratic during the day, I also saw night time spikes.
Final Thoughts – Is It Worth It?
I really enjoyed the trial. In hindsight, I would have preferred to do it over a more typical two weeks to get a clearer picture. Ideally, I’d have done a full month to see how my cycle influenced things.
Understanding how your body responds to food, stress, and movement is so useful. Blood sugar stability is key for energy, mood, digestion, and more. That said, I can see how it would be easy to become obsessed. Sometimes, we need to focus on the basics: eating well, sleeping well, exercising, and managing stress.
One key takeaway? It’s not just about blood sugar levels. Some foods won’t spike blood sugar but might still be full of junk. Others might cause a small spike but still be incredibly nutritious. The goal isn’t just to prevent spikes—it’s to learn how to support your body with balanced meals.
For me, a month of tracking would give a better overall picture. Lingo’s challenges are great for guiding you through the process, helping you experiment with exercise, hydration, protein, and more.
Final verdict? Go for it—but use it wisely.
If you're looking for sustainable ways to support your digestion, energy, and overall health, my Digestive Calm course is designed to help you build a solid foundation for gut health. Blood sugar balance is just one piece of the puzzle—learn how to nourish your body and restore balance from the inside out. Check it out here!
Want to Try Lingo for Yourself?
If you're curious about tracking your blood sugar and seeing how different foods, exercise, and stress affect your body, I have a 10% discount for you to try Lingo! Just send me an email, and I’ll share the details. Happy experimenting! 😊
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