I Wore a CGM on Holiday...
#LakeAnnecy #CGM #HRV #OuraRing
Oh, Lake Annecy! Ever stumbled upon a place that seems straight out of a fairy tale? That was Lake Annecy for me. A little gem tucked just an hour away from Geneva Airport, this Alpine jewel in southeastern France is something else. Wander through the old town, and you're met with winding cobbled streets, snug eateries, and serene canals that lead you right to the breathtaking Lake Annecy, framed perfectly by the Alps. I spent five dreamy days there, balancing relaxation with exhilarating (and, yes, slightly anxiety-inducing) adventures…
You know, as I deep dive into the world of influencer marketing within the wellness space for my next article, I've been thinking about these 'interlude pieces', offering a peek into my personal universe – be it through recipes or, like now, my travels. I get it: many hopped aboard after my Athletic Greens piece and are expecting something similar.
So, like any startup employee will understand, audience feedback is key. Building a Substack readership is, in many ways, akin to curating a product. It’s about aligning with what you all need, desire, and envision, rather than just what I assume you'd love. I pour in my perspectives, learnings, and musings (this is my substack, after all). But I’d love to understand: How do you feel about these in-between articles? Are they a welcome intermission, or would you rather wait for that monthly deep-dive? Let me know.
Your feedback remains between us. The responses are anonymous. So, do feel free to share your thoughts with no reservations. Your insights are golden. 👀📝
I genuinely enjoy diving deep with my long-form pieces, but they do require a good chunk of time and dedication. That's why I've been sprinkling in these lighter, shorter pieces, hoping to add a dash of entertainment to your week. Without them, it'd be a once-a-month email rendezvous. Just a heads up on the pacing!
Why Wear a GCM?
Figuring out what to share in this section gave me a little writer's tug-of-war. Initially, I considered an Annecy itinerary, recounting our scenic bike rides around the lake, daily pedalo boat rentals, and the surreal experience of paragliding over its serene waters.
Then, my mind drifted to an analysis of my health-focused habits (think: savory breakfasts and cutting down on refined carbs) juxtaposed to the laid-back lifestyle of the French. But I hesitated, not wanting to tumble down a rabbit hole discussing the French Paradox, with their surprising health stats despite a diet rich in espressos, cigarettes, cured meats, and croissants.
Instead, let's pivot to something better: my adventure wearing a GCM (continuous glucose monitor) while on holiday. Let's begin with the 'why' and 'how' I ventured into this GCM journey.
Wearable Tech & Continuous Glucose Monitors
The wellness landscape is abuzz with chatter about blood sugar, and the reasons are quite compelling. Let's skim the surface for a moment. Unruly blood glucose levels can put a damper on our health, casting a shadow of potential risks like obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, disturbed sleep patterns, compromised cognition and focus, hormonal imbalance, and even fertility issues. In simpler terms: steady blood glucose levels equate to a harmonious health rhythm. Enter Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs). Their brilliance lies in offering a real-time picture of this health marker. Suddenly, you can tie that unexpected blood sugar rollercoaster to a specific food or activity, giving you a genuine 'aha!' moment. This real-time feedback is somewhat of a novelty; other health metrics or habits don’t provide this immediate clarity (outside the fitness space, specifically).
These days, if you've shown even a fleeting interest in wellness, you've likely been caught in a flood of content about stabilising your blood sugar, whether it's from the Glucose Goddess's podcast circuit, insights from Zoe & Levels, or the fitness revolution on Tik Tok promoting Pilates over HIIT to manage cortisol and glucose levels. To be honest, I never fixated on my blood sugar. Given my natural leanings towards a lower-carb and whole foods diet, I felt I was OK.
Yet, the past six months with an Oura Ring on my finger taught me an intriguing lesson: sometimes, our perceptions and cold, hard data perform a curious dance, not always in sync. This realisation has sparked some internal confusion. On one side, I’d like to believe in intuitive living and our ability to trust our gut over graphs. Conversely, the data-obsessed girl that I am loves how the facts, not feelings, can guide us to healthier decisions. So, what’s my verdict? Somewhere in the middle. For me, the essence of the matter is less about the data and more about the person soaking it up. Wearable tech might not sit well with individuals prone to extreme behaviours or those with past eating disorders. Ironically, such individuals often gravitate towards tools like Oura Rings, Whoops, CGMs, etc.
Insert Neutrally.io
While working at WellEasy, I came in contact with this startup called Neutrally.io. They're all about tracking blood sugar with a CGM, aiming to help people feel better, think clearer, and stay on top of their health. We’re looking into a Neutrally x WellEasy partnership especially since we, at WellEasy, offer a bunch of the healthy alternatives that people might turn to while trying to improve their glucose levels.
Anyways, the founders of Neutrally, Cara and Paul, were on the lookout for some people to try out their tech. So, I thought, why not? I signed up, got my partner on board, and we’ve been testing it out for a a month now. And let me tell you, it's been very interesting.
Oh, and if you're thinking of giving it a whirl, I think they’re still scouting for more beta-testers. I don't get any kickbacks from them, but if you decide to dive in, just mention that you heard about it from me. Always good to have a friendly reference! 😉
I just finished my first month and here are some of my initial learnings:
🍲 The Usual Routine: In my first week, I didn't tinker with my diet. I wanted to see how my everyday choices stacked up. Turns out, I'm doing pretty well with my usual food choices and lifestyle.
🤔 Who's Wearing These Things Anyway?: CGMs were initially made for specific health issues, such as diabetes, but I reckon there are many users out there like me: generally healthy but curious. We're the ones looking for that little nod that says, "You're on the right track."
📉 Dips Over Peaks: Here's something odd. I noticed more minor dips in my glucose rather than big spikes. Why? Still working that out. It’s nothing drastic and I’m not overly concerned, but it is interesting to see. Maybe slightly overproducing insulin? And no, it's not from the occasional glass of red.
🍏🥜 The Tale of Two Apples: An apple on its own? Different glucose story than an apple with some nuts on the side. But this impact isn’t just seen on my graph 30 minutes after snacking. If I opt for a solo apple, I’ve noticed I’m also more prone to higher sugar levels post-dinner. Who knew such a small tweak could have ripple effects throughout the day? Don’t get blinded by snapshot data…
☕ Coffee Chronicles: Coffee and I? We're cool. No major glucose fireworks there. My partner, though, has a slightly different coffee dance going on.
📊 Balance, Not Flatlines: Trying to maintain a super steady glucose line isn’t the name of the game. Some ups and downs are natural, so no need to break out every hack in the book after each meal.
So, What Happened on Holiday while wearing my CGM?
Toting a CGM on vacation isn't everyone's cup of tea. If you can glance at the data, give a shrug and think, "Huh, that's interesting," then you're golden. But if a rogue reading could cast a cloud over your mood, then maybe it's best to let the CGM have its own staycation. Remember, holidays are for unwinding. If you're pondering over that scoop of gelato, fearing the sight of a glucose spike, maybe this isn't the trip for your trusty monitor.
The Sandwich Saga
So there we were, fresh in Annecy, bellies rumbling and eyes hungry for a bite. Lo and behold, we stumble upon this sandwich stall in the old town, with a queue long enough to convince anyone it's the place to be. I mean, a long line is like a universal 'this place is good' sign, right? I went all in with a veggie-packed sandwich, complete with slices of cheese.
But, plot twist! That veggie delight gave me a cheeky glucose spike 😅. Even a hearty lakeside stroll couldn’t nudge that sugar down. Would I go back in time and swap that sandwich out? Absolutely not. Every bite was worth it.
Fast forward, and the next day we ventured to a different sandwich shop. This time, I changed my order - added some chicken, bit into half during lunch, and saved the rest for a later treat. Threw in a classic coke for good measure (they taste so much better on holiday, right?). And guess what? My blood sugar remained within normal limits. The star of this sandwich show? That roasted eggplant (or aubergine, for my Brits). Plus, the chicken made it a more fulfilling affair.
Morale of the story: if you’re going to eat a baguette, make sure you have enough protein!
The Croissant
Oh, the French mornings! Quite a shift from the UK/US breakfast scene. You see, finding a breakfast spot in Annecy was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Honestly! The French – and yes, I might be painting with a broad brush here – they have their morning ritual down to a simple art: a strong coffee and maybe, just maybe, a light pastry or a petite baguette on the side. Full English breakfasts at 9am? Not happening.
For someone who wakes up with a mental checklist of 'must-have morning protein', this was a tad challenging. But adaptation is key, right? After a slightly confused first-morning stroll, we realised lunch was the earliest meal in town, and leaned in. For the next few mornings you’d find us sipping coffee, nibbling on pastries, sometimes sharing a cookie, and occasionally, each claiming a croissant for ourselves.
Jumping into that French morning routine, I would've bet big money that a post-fasting coffee-croissant combo would make my blood sugar soar to stratospheric levels. But life's full of surprises! Instead, my blood sugar stayed impressively steady. Now, if I tried the same scenario back in London, I'm pretty sure the charts would tell a different story. Is it the fresh French ingredients or just that laid-back holiday zen working its magic? The croissant mystery remains. 🥐🔍
The Gelato.
Only five days in Annecy, but believe me, we made it our mission to sample just about every gelato flavour the town had to offer.
And while my partner and I would chuckle, seeing that seemingly every person on the streets seemed to be devouring gelato cones, no matter the hour, we were nighttime gelato wanderers. Strolling around the town and lakeside, gelato cone in hand, as the perfect nightcap? Absolute bliss.
But here’s the twist: after a hearty dinner, that gelato? Not even a blip on my glucose radar. Dinner was usually a balanced act - lots of fresh fish (holiday perks!) accompanied by veggies. Sure, there was the generous helping of bread and the occasional side of fries (or chips), but my blood sugar stayed unfazed post dinner. And with that spread laying the foundation in my stomach, even the sugary embrace of gelato couldn't ruffle my glucose levels.
In a Nutshell
Annecy in the summertime? Absolute magic. I can't recommend it enough. Whether you're with friends or family, diving into the lake from a rented boat, or whizzing through the streets on an e-bike (yes, we took the easy route), it's a must-visit. And don't even get me started on the charm of the old town.
Thinking about strapping on a CGM to dive deep into your health data? Go for it, especially if numbers and trends fascinate you. Just a word of caution: if you're someone who might obsess over every little glucose swing post-meal, maybe give it a skip. It's crucial that this gadget doesn’t cast a shadow over your joys or leaves you second-guessing every bite.
Some light bulb moments from my trip:
Craving that hefty baguette? Balance it out with some good protein. Trust me, an hour's walk later might not fix that sugar spike.
Mornings with coffee and a croissant? Somehow, in France, it didn’t send my glucose into overdrive. Note to self: needs a rerun in London.
Gelato after dinner didn't phase my blood sugar one bit. It's a testament to how a balanced meal affects sugar absorption.
If you're in the UK and are curious about trying out a CGM, Neutrally might be worth a peek. I think they're still on the lookout for beta testers.
And, just to wrap this up with a little bow: my experiences and insights are just that - mine. It's not a one-size-fits-all scenario. While I am a registered dietitian, I'm not giving out advice here. Consider my story a slice of life from a generally healthy 30-something without any health concerns. It's an 'n=1' tale.
I've truly enjoyed sharing this journey with you. If you have any thoughts, questions, or just want to chat, drop a comment. And, as always, thank you for taking the time to read this!