What happens when a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion and a tech visionary share a plate of syrup-soaked pancakes? In the new Lingo series Spike Sessions, two people share intimate conversations over memorable meals, starting with Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian.
From their not-so-perfect first date meal to the Italian ice cream that brought Serena to tears, each shared bite reveals something interesting: Two people can experience the exact same plate with varied responses. During Spike Sessions, Serena and Alexis are both wearing a Lingo biosensor while they eat four separate meals and track their individual glucose responses in real time. Showing their glucose graphs on screen, Serena and Alexis demonstrate that your glucose response is highly individualised, and a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) like Lingo is the only way to view this unique data in real time right on your smartphone.
Watch what happens when this power couple puts Lingo to the test and demonstrates how even the closest dining companions can have surprisingly different metabolic responses.
Spike Sessions: How do Serena and Alexis’s glucose values compare?
The Papa Pancakes Alexis often makes for their two daughters have become Instagram-famous, and the couple was happy to enjoy a plate during Spike Sessions. After finishing the meal and giving their bodies time to show the glucose values in the Lingo app, Serena’s glucose reaches 94 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L) while Alexis’s reaches 120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L).
Although Serena seems surprised by this reading, 94 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L) is well within the “normal” glucose range for metabolically healthy individuals, which is 70-140 mg/dL (3.9-7.8 mmol/L). (1) People without diabetes spend approximately 90% of their time within this range. (2) It’s common to see glucose levels at the lower end of this range on an empty stomach and up to 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) after eating.
While it’s normal for glucose levels to occasionally exceed 140mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L), most healthy individuals do not remain elevated for long and typically return to normal levels within a few hours. (2)
It’s important to note that Serena and Alexis ate all four meals within three hours, so their data may be a little skewed compared to individuals eating normal meals over the course of the day. Your individual glucose data can also vary based on a number of factors, including genetics, body composition, stress, sleep quality, lifestyle habits, and more.
Lingo tips to stay steady and manage glucose
After they ate their meals, Serena and Alexis were shown tips from Lingo to help manage their glucose. Although the following tips didn’t make it into Spike Sessions, the couple discussed:
- Prioritising protein: Aim to get at least 30 g of protein at each meal and try to eat the protein on your plate before the carbs. (3,4)
- Giving carbs company: Avoid eating “naked carbs,” which are carbohydrates by themselves. Pair carbs with protein or healthy fats to limit glucose spikes. (5)
- Moving after eating: Put the glucose from your meal to work and help to prevent a glucose spike by moving your body for 10-20 minutes after you eat, like taking a brisk walk, going up and down stairs, or doing some bodyweight exercises. (6,7)
- Closing the kitchen after dinner: Dinner should be the last time you eat for the day to avoid late-night snacking, which can disrupt sleep and lead to glucose spikes. (8,9)
These four tips are just some of the helpful strategies taken from the Lingo Fundamentals that coach users through their journey to steady glucose and better metabolic health. By analysing your personal data, Lingo provides tactical tips to help mitigate glucose spikes and make healthier choices, fostering positive behavior change.
Serena and Alexis’s biggest takeaway from Lingo
Throughout Spike Sessions, Serena and Alexis explained how beneficial it was to view their personal glucose data in real time. At the end, they revealed what they’ve learned while using Lingo.
“I try to think so much more about what I’m doing with my body, what I’m putting into my body,” Alexis says. “So tracking something like I have with Lingo for the last two weeks has been awesome.”
For the legendary tennis champion, it’s no surprise she loves learning about her individual data and how she can optimise her habits. “For me, it’s all about the bottom line, the bottom number... and how to live my life better,” Serena says.
Click here to watch Spike Sessions on the Lingo YouTube channel.
The Lingo system is not for medical use and intended for users 18 years and older. Lingo is not intended for diagnosis or management of any disease including diabetes.
The Lingo programme does not guarantee that everyone will achieve the same results as individual responses may vary. It is best to speak to your doctor for advice on starting any diet or exercise regime or if you have an eating disorder or a history of eating disorders.
© 2024 Abbott. All rights reserved. The biosensor housing, Lingo, and related marks are marks of the Abbott group of companies. Other marks are the property of their respective owners.