Maybe it’s because I’m a former athlete but I’m always on the lookout for tools that help me be in tune with my own body and health. I like to know how nutrition, sleep, and exercise impact my body's ability to perform at its peak. Lately, I can’t scroll through my feed without seeing rave reviews for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).
So, I decided to give this little gadget a whirl for myself and Nutrisense and Levels stood out as the frontrunners. Both are wellness companies leveraging CGMs to analyze the effects of diet and physical activity on blood sugar and metabolic health.
Here's what I discovered when I put them to the test.
If you’re looking for nutritionist support…Nutrisense
The nutritionists at Nutrisense didn't just throw data at me; they broke it into bite-sized, actionable advice.
Both Levels and Nutrisense give me real-time glucose monitoring, but the personalized guidance from a dedicated nutritionist with Nutrisense was a standout. All nutritionists from Nutrisense are in-house, board certified registered dietitians and certified nutrition specialists – their expertise became really apparent as they helped to interpret glucose charts and how they applied to me.
For example, I learned that not all glucose spikes are bad. Instead, understanding my own average scores and variability is important. The tailored support from Nutrisense definitely kickstarted my journey in the right direction.
If you're interested in a deep dive into your health data…Nutrisense
Unlocking the mysteries of my metabolic health with Nutrisense was eye-opening.
Using Nutrisense allowed me to monitor trends in my glucose levels, so I could monitor interesting fluctuations like how my glucose varied post-exercise or after meals. Turns out, the highest reading that I got while wearing my CGM was 171 mg/dL after a cheat night pizza.
Compared to Levels, the insights from Nutrisense were just a tad more detailed and actionable, especially with my nutritionist's interpretations. The expertise from my nutritionist adds a lot of value to help make sense of that data in conjunction with dietary intake and activity during that time
Having a nutritionist's guidance from the start was tremendously helpful. Interpreting glucose charts can be challenging and it's also important to know that not all glucose spikes are bad. Rather what I learnt is that it's important to understand average scores and variability that is unique to me. This is where the expertise from the nutritionist is valuable and adds a lot of value to help make sense of that data in conjunction with dietary intake and activity during that time.
When discussing this with my nutritionist, she noted two things:
- We typically eat our heaviest meal at night, which is also when our insulin sensitivity tends to be at its lowest, making it harder for our bodies to manage these heavier meals
- She recommended adjusting my meal timing by consuming a larger meal at lunch and a smaller one at night to regulate glucose fluctuations.
If you’re after real-time glucose insights…It’s a tie!
Both platforms offer tools to log what you're eating and how you're moving. It’s a great way to stay accountable and informed with what your body needs to continue feeling your best. Nutrisense's app is super user-friendly, making logging feel less like homework and more like part of my daily routine. Both apps offer educational resources but Nutrisense offers more third-party integrations.
If you prefer to find a plan that works for you…Nutrisense
Nutrisense offers a variety of plans to suit your specific needs and goals. With a no-commitment one-month option ($399/mo), as well as 3-, 6-, or 12-month subscriptions that reduce the monthly cost down to $299/mo, $250/mo or $225/mo, there’s flexibility to choose the plan that’s right for you. You can also pause and reactivate your subscription at any time within the app and all of the programs are HSA and FSA eligible with free shipping.
Meanwhile, Levels has a $199 annual membership fee with flexibility on the subscription plan. The mandatory fee bumps up the initial cost.
Final Verdict: Nutrisense as the MVP
In the game of life, we're all striving for our personal best. Nutrisense has been a crucial player in my quest for optimized health, providing not just data but the wisdom to live better.
Not only am I scanning my monitor more regularly and limiting my food consumption more at night but I’ve noticed that by adjusting the timing of my meals, particularly around my workout sessions, has really upped my performance in the gym. And instead of cutting out certain foods, I shifted my focus to adding beneficial combinations that helped stabilize my glucose levels, like protein with my carbs.
The feedback loop was tight — eat, log, learn, and adjust. For me, having something easily integrated into my lifestyle was the ultimate winner because it meant I could stick with it long-term versus just trying it out as another fad health gadget.
As you consider your options, think about what you want from your health journey. If it's a personalized, insightful, and supportive path, Nutrisense might just be your winning choice.
