Last week marked Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week, and I took the opportunity to trial a Lingo | Abbott glucose biosensor for two weeks—particularly focusing on how food, drink, stress, and lifestyle affect blood sugar, especially at night, when insulin production naturally drops.

Reducing our intensity and regularity of blood sugar spikes can reduce the risk of insulin resistance / prediabetes, and the accompanying cardiovascular conditions. We are also likely to have energy slumps following a glucose spike, which can affect focus and performance.

What I found

1. Sweet drinks and alcohol caused a rapid spike in blood sugar. This can be reduced by –

• Eating them with a balanced meal.
• Replacing or reducing them altogether.

2. Refined carbs (like white pasta and rice, bread, crisps, biscuits) also spiked my glucose. The impact was gentler when:-

• I paired them with protein and/ or healthy fats. Eg full fat yoghurt / unsalted nuts / nut butter with breakfast granola, fruit or the occasional sweet treat.
• Swapped them for complex carbs (like lentils or whole grains).
• Bread was the exception—it caused a spike every time, regardless of pairing. A reminder that not all carbs behave equally – but also that this is my individual response.

3. Stress alone spiked my glucose. This highlights how important mental health is for physical wellbeing. Take time to create stress management strategies that work for you (again, v individual) and be aware of your rising stress levels, triggers and situations.

4. Exercise consistently reduced glucose levels—but I acknowledge this is a real challenge for drivers, whose opportunities to move can be limited by their job. Can this be a priority on rest days if not able to incorporate movement during a working shift?

As someone who supports professional drivers and shift workers, this has deepened my understanding of the unique risks you face and the simple strategies that can make a real difference to prevent Type 2 diabetes and support road safety and long-term health.

The Lingo device provided an insightful opportunity to see my personal response to food and drinks. It was easy to fit, and I was generally unaware of its presence throughout the two-week trial. For those motivated by data, this could be a helpful and engaging way to manage your own health and energy through diet and lifestyle.

Let me know if you’d like to learn more, as we can incorporate the use of a biosensor into a personalised nutrition and lifestyle programme.