Glucose basics
Is there a link between using a glucose biosensor and losing weight?
Published: May. 6, 2025
4 min read
The content in this article should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider regarding your individual health needs.
We’ve all been there. You set out to lose a few pounds and start a new diet. At first, it feels manageable—even exciting. But before long, sticking to it gets tough. One small slip can make you want to give up entirely. The truth is, it’s sometimes really hard not to be hard on ourselves.
But research shows that consistency, not perfection, is the real key to weight loss. Instead of rigidly following a specific diet, health organizations like the American Diabetes Association (ADA) encourage a more personalized approach to meal planning.
Lasting weight loss is best supported by lasting lifestyle changes. Technology to track activity and other markers, including glucose, can help empower those lasting changes. Many people are unaware how specific foods impact their body’s glucose response. Or, how that response can impact the success of any weight loss program. One new tool that can support this individualized strategy is a glucose biosensor. This easy-to-apply wearable technology enables you to track glucose 24/7 to reveal how food, exercise, stress, and even sleep can affect your glucose levels. Let’s take a look at how it might fit into your plan.
How glucose affects weight loss
Glucose fluctuations play a bigger role in weight management than many people realize. In normal metabolism, when your glucose spikes frequently, your body produces more insulin. One function of insulin is to help store excess glucose as fat, which can make it harder to shed pounds.
This is where technology like glucose biosensors comes in. By providing 24/7 feedback on your glucose levels, glucose biosensors help you identify which foods trigger glucose spikes, guiding you toward choices that support glucose management as part of lifestyle changes which may lead to weight loss.
Interestingly, your response to certain carbohydrate-rich foods might be different from someone else’s. For instance, some people can eat whole grains or certain fruits without causing a spike, while others may see a significant increase in their glucose levels. Stelo helps you understand how your body uniquely responds, and even offers personalized suggestions through an engaging app interface. All this leads to more flexibility and precision as you craft a plan that works for you to help manage your glucose.
Interestingly, your response to certain carbohydrate-rich foods might be different from someone else’s. For instance, some people can eat whole grains or certain fruits without causing a spike, while others may see a significant increase in their glucose levels. Stelo helps you understand how your body uniquely responds, and even offers personalized suggestions through an engaging app interface. All this leads to more flexibility and precision as you craft a plan that works for you to help manage your glucose.
A tool for creating healthy habits
Glucose biosensors aren’t just about numbers—they’re also a powerful motivator. In a recent clinical trial, 30 participants who received customized nutrition plans and personalized advice based on their glucose and activity data achieved twice the reduction in weight and fat mass compared to those who didn’t.
Seeing how your choices affect your glucose levels can encourage healthier habits. For example, biosensor data might motivate you to take a short walk after meals, which can help lower glucose levels and support weight loss. It’s a small step that can make a big difference over time.
Personalized insights to support behavior change
Using a glucose biosensor for tracking your glucose levels can also provide practical insights into food choices and the times you eat various foods. If you notice that certain foods—like French fries, chips, sugary drinks, or refined grains—consistently cause spikes, it becomes easier to pinpoint the cause and consider healthier options. Over time, this awareness helps you develop a more sustainable eating pattern that you can align with your weight loss goals.
Research supports this. In one survey study of 40 participants, 87% of glucose biosensor users reported that they adjusted their food choices based on the data, and 90% reported adopting healthier lifestyles. Nearly half of the participants reported they were even motivated to take a walk when they saw their glucose levels rise.
What’s more, simply having access to glucose data led participants to increase their physical activity—even without being explicitly told to exercise. This may suggest that glucose biosensors don’t just inform your choices; they empower you to take control of your health.
Unique weight loss journeys
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for weight loss. Everyone’s journey is unique, and success often comes down to finding what works best for you. A glucose biosensor can be a valuable tool, offering both flexibility and accountability to help you stay consistent in the foods you choose. Think of it as a navigation system for your health: it provides constant feedback to guide your decisions, giving you greater insight along the way.
With the help of tools like glucose biosensors, building a healthier lifestyle doesn’t have to feel like a guessing game. Instead, it can become a more informed, empowering process tailored to your needs.
Curated & Reviewed by: Christine Pospisil
RD, LDN, CDCES
Christine is a Senior Director of Clinical Education at Dexcom and a registered and licensed dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist.
Written by: Stelo Team
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