If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you may have checked your blood sugar (glucose) thousands of times. Or, if you are new to the diabetes community, this whole fingerstick thing might still be a little strange. Either way, we think you’ll benefit from this update on best practices for using a traditional glucose meter (glucometer), plus tips for making monitoring as easy and effective as possible. An alternative to the glucometer for those diagnosed with diabetes is a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), a wearable device that tracks your glucose 24/7 mostly without fingersticks. Get answers to common questions about CGMs here.

If you have diabetes, pre-diabetes, or are just determined to control your glucose levels, or improve your eating habits by scaling back on sugar, we applaud you. It can be difficult to cut down on sugar, because as everybody knows, nothing hits the mouth, and the brain, like a warm chocolate chip cookie or a cold ice cream cone.