Best Blood Glucose Meters 2022

Blood glucose meters are small portable devices that are used to monitor blood sugar levels. Using a glucometer, patients are able to manage diabetes better by tracking the fluctuations in their blood sugar levels. There are two main types of glucose meters:

CGM(Continuous glucose meter) and there is the manual BGM(Blood glucose meter).

Factors to Consider when Purchasing a Blood Glucose Meter

  • Accuracy

Some glucometers are more accurate than others therefore it’s important to confirm the accuracy of a glucometer before purchasing it. This also helps prevent false readings of your blood sugar level which may have adverse effects in the long term.

  • Cost of the Glucose Meter

Be sure to purchase a blood glucose meter that is within your budget. It’s also important to consider features such as Bluetooth and smartphone compatibility with excellent data management features.

  • Cost and availability of the test strips

Check the long-term cost of test strips since they are usually the most expensive part of using blood glucose meters. A glucometer may be expensive but its cheap test strips may be affordable and vice versa. It’s also important to choose a meter whose test strips are widely available. Remember, some test strips are only available in online stores which aren’t ideal for emergencies.

  • Data management and connectivity

Choose a glucometer with a good data management system that provides you and your doctor with relevant information required for the proper management of diabetes in order to minimize potential adverse long-term health effects. It’s also important to check whether your glucometer can transfer data to other devices and its ease of use.

Mobile applications are better than desktop software because Bluetooth allows your glucometer to instantly transfer your readings to the data management system on your phone. Using some desktop software can be daunting largely because you have to access a computer and use a USB cable for connection. Mobile applications also make it easy to add notes from your phone immediately after taking a blood test which gives you an accurate assessment of your condition.

  • Insurance cover

Since the long-term cost of operating a Glucometer can be high, there are insurance plans which cover the costs of the glucose meter and test strips. One of the potential downsides of using insurance to cover costs associated with purchasing and using a glucometer is that the plan might dictate the specific brands that patients should use. Therefore, you should contact your insurance provider about what brands are covered under your insurance plan to check whether your preferred brand is included. Let’s explore some of the best blood glucose meters available in the market

best glucose meter 2018CONTOUR NEXT ONE

According to third-party tests Contour, Next One has an accuracy of 99%. Despite having a small display, it features Bluetooth compatibility and also comes with a companion application that allows you to sync readings to your phone.

It also allows you to make notes which make data management very easy and you can easily track your readings and trend. Contour Next One is also one of the most affordable glucometers in the market and its test strips are widely available in most online stores and pharmacies.

best glucose meter 2018FORA 6 CONNECT

FORA 6 Connect is one of the best glucometers for insulin-dependent diabetics. The glucometer features a big display that is easy to read. This multi-functional Glucometer is compatible with strips for measuring both blood sugar and ketones which makes it ideal especially for insulin-dependent diabetics.

FORA 6 Connect is a great device for diabetes patients who are following a keto diet because it aids in the effective management of their blood glucose levels. Despite being affordable, this glucose meter is only available in select stores. The meter features a companion application called the iFORA HM App and using the Bluetooth functionality, patients are able to sync readings. The application is easy to use and you can also add notes to specific readings. It also displays data form of graphs and charts for quick and easy analysis.

best glucose meter for visually impairedFORA TN’G VOICE

This is a great glucometer for diabetics with poor eyesight because it has a voice feature that reads out readings to users. The voice feature also helps users navigate through other features without relying on the display.

The voice guide is loud and easily understandable. Its test strips are quite affordable and it also features a companion application that allows users to sync their readings. The app comes with excellent data management features.

best glucose meter with cheapest stripsTRUE METRIX AIR

This is the best glucometer for value largely because its test strips are affordable and easily available. True Metrix Air features a companion app that allows users to sync data via Bluetooth. Its long-run costs are also considerably lower compared to other blood glucose meters.

best blood sugar monitors 2019DARIO

This is the best glucometer when it comes to data management. Despite being compatible with Android devices, users must download its companion app. However, it’s quite convenient to use because it does not require a USB cable to connect to the computer or Bluetooth connectivity to connect to your smartphone.  It is ideal for data management and the display size is determined by the size of your smartphone’s screen. The dario companion app is well designed and user-friendly. The app is also designed to display large figures in different colors for easy and quick analysis.

most compact blood glucose meterONE-TOUCH ULTRA MINI

One-Touch Ultra Mini is the best compact blood sugar meter. It’s an excellent choice for diabetics who are looking for a discreet and compact glucometer to tuck into their pocket or purse.

Since there are many different factors that affect blood sugar levels, it’s essential to keep track of the fluctuating blood sugar levels. Blood glucose meters help diabetes patients manage the condition better and prevent serious complications such as nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney problems, and blindness.

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Top 5 Best Diabetic Carb Counter Apps

How can using a Carb Counter App for Diabetes Help Me?

For people living with diabetes, prioritizing their health is of utmost importance. According to the American Diabetes Association, people with underlying health conditions including diabetes have a greater risk of complications from Corona Virus (COVID-19).

Studies show that using diabetes apps can greatly improve health for people living with diabetes. For instance, a review published in the Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism journal in March 2020 found that using a diabetes app leads to a drop in average blood sugar levels or hemoglobin A1C of 0.57%.

Free carb counting app for diabeticsFurthermore, a study published in Obesity in January 2020 reveals that apps for managing diabetes can help type 2 diabetes patients reduce their waist circumference and body weight.

Here are the top 5 smartly designed diabetic carb counter apps to consider using if you have diabetes.

best carb counter app for diabeticsFooducate

Fooducate is an easy-to-use nutrition-focused app that helps you make health-conscious decisions. It empowers you to scan UPC codes for quality and dietary information about the foods you are eating.

The tracking app uses an in-built database of scannable barcodes allowing you to keep count of your macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates, and proteins) intake. Fooducate also helps you make healthy choices by accessing a food’s nutrition quality using its assigned letter grade (A, B, C, or D).

The app then provides you with clear explanations, good alternative recommendations, and tips from community support and nutrition professionals so you can continue making smart decisions to help you achieve your nutritional goals for optimal blood glucose management.

You can also use the app to input exercise, access your daily intake, calculate your net calories, and keep track of your progress over a set period of time. Its biggest strength is in its in-built functionality and increasing health awareness.

Fooducate is free for Android and iPhone but its built-in functionality for calculating and scanning feature can be upgraded for a cost.

glucose buddy diabetes trackerGlucose Buddy

Glucose Buddy is a data storage utility that allows users to track their carbohydrate consumption, glucose numbers, insulin dosage, and activities. The app syncs with monitoring systems such as Dexcom G5 and G6 and it helps you build a detailed record of your overall health while keeping count of your food intake and exercise.

Glucose Buddy also offers push notifications as a reminder of when to check your blood glucose next. The app also features a chat display that helps you track patterns to gain a better understanding of your blood glucose trends and create printable reports that you can bring to your physician’s appointment.

Glucose buddy standard version is free for both Android and iPhone, but the premium version offers a monthly or annual subscription service for a customizable and ad-free experience, including community support, enhanced filters, an A1C calculator and desktop login.

is there an app to check blood Keto Diet App Carb Manager

Keto Diet App focuses on keeping track of carbs, as well as calories, fats, and protein, with a bar-code scanner and database of foods. The app also allows you to log your meals with voice memos and photos. You can also use it to log exercises and set and track your weight loss goals. However, syncing with a fitness tracker requires an upgrade to the annual or monthly subscription service at a fee.

Keto diet app also includes features for users following the ketogenic diet or a low-carbohydrate diet. However, it’s essential to note that these diets are not appropriate for everyone. Therefore, you should be careful about taking advice from an app and always check with your dietitian, certified diabetes care specialist, or doctor.

The free version of the app offers a macro tracker, exercise tracker, calorie counter, food diary, and weight log (charts both body mass index and weight loss), but upgrading to the subscription service allows users to also track insulin and blood glucose values. The app is available for both Android and iPhone.

diabetes carb counting app for androidFigwee Visual Food Diary

Research shows that most people, including people with diabetes, don’t know what standard food portions look like. Therefore, unless they log their meals, they are probably logging inaccurate food portion sizes.

Figwee Visual Food Diary allows you to view photographs of incremental food portion sizes to ensure that the information you’re logging is accurate.

You simply need to pick a photo that matches the food you ate, adjust the slider to match the portion that you ate before, and then add it to your food diary.

The app also provides nutritional info (cholesterol, carbs, calories, fat, etc.) for the portion size you ate. One of the key strengths of Figwee is that it allows you to visualize what a portion actually looks like.

The app is available for both Android and iPhone but you can upgrade to the premium version for additional features including an activity tracker, zero ads, desktop integration, and custom food builder.

Diabetic Carb Counter AppsmySugr

mySugr features an aesthetically appealing and easy-to-use interface and is equipped with handy features including a 3-month overview of your glucose levels for accurate tracking of your A1C. It also allows you to input and tracks your meals, carb intake, and meds. The app can be synchronized with the Apple Health app to allow the collection of step data points and physical activity.

The pro subscription allows you to set reminders to log blood sugar levels, calculate insulin doses, as well as meal shots. You can also download reports and send them directly to your diabetes educators or doctors.

Conclusion

As you explore diabetic carb-counting apps, it’s important to keep in mind that your main goal is to find an app that will be a good fit for you and make your life easier. Find apps that give you useful information, are easy to use, and sync seamlessly with your devices.

Although diabetes apps are valuable tools, they should not replace individualized medical care and advice. It’s recommended that you walk through your diabetic apps with your doctor to be sure they are a suitable tool for you.

Learn more about the DARIO glucose Meter – turn your smart phone into a glucose meter HERE!

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The Top Smartphone Apps for Diabetes Care

Post updated: 8th April 2023

From medications and blood sugar readings to physical activity and meals, it’s particularly essential for diabetes patients to keep track of lots of important information. Although such information can be recorded with pencil and paper, diabetes management apps may be able to simplify the lives of diabetes patients by giving them a convenient place to log their data, set goals, track progress and see patterns.

Poor glucose control can lead to long-term diabetes, macro, and micro-vascular complications leading to higher mortality and morbidity. Therefore, anything that makes your life easier is a win.

Moreover, research shows that using smartphone diabetes apps to keep track of information can keep you in touch with your diabetes and improve your health. You’ll be more engaged with your diabetes and that is the main goal.

With an increasing number of smartphone users globally, research shows that it’s possible to apply smartphone app technology to help diabetes patients better manage their condition. In this review, we explore the use of digital health and newer technologies in diabetes self-management to improve diabetes-related outcomes.

Glucose Buddy Diabetes App

Blood glucose Tracker appThis app guides you through the activities of monitoring and recording glucose, carbohydrate intakes, exercise, AIC results, and medications and allows data to be synchronized online to glucosebuddy.com (the Diabetes Buddy Website).

It’s for both type 1 and type 2 Diabetes patients. Glucose Buddy offers reminders to take your meds and check your blood glucose at specific time intervals. Moreover, the reminders can be easily tailored to your preferences.

The app also incorporates various social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to communicate to users about changes and updates to the app. There’s also an active online forum that allows users to have questions answered by other users and share their experiences regarding other topics such as gestational diabetes or insulin pumps.

diabetes apps androidPros

  • Glucose Buddy offers reminders to take your meds and check your blood glucose
  • Apple iPhone users can register at glucosebuddy.com to sync their logs to the site, input their glucose values or print medication and blood glucose logs for healthcare providers. You can also send reports to your healthcare provider via the website or app.

blood glucose tracker appCons

  • The app does not sync with CGMs (continuous glucose monitors), pumps, or meters.
  • Both Apple and Android users can access the Glucose Buddy website but only Apple users can sync the app with the web portal. Android users must manually input their data on the website. Since there’s no way for Android users to back up their logs, if they lose their devices and haven’t manually entered their logs on the web portal, they have to start over.
  • A built-in food database and calorie tracker have been planned, but the release date has not yet been set.
  • Users are required to pay a $3.99 fee to enable weight and blood pressure logging.

 Diabetes Pilot App

Diabetes Pilot allows you to record your data in one convenient place: insulin, glucose, and other medications, exercise, meals, weight, and blood pressure averages for up to 90 days. It also contains a database that includes important nutritional information on a wide range of food items in addition to information about protein, carbohydrates, fiber, fat, cholesterol, fiber, and other nutrients.

Diabetes Pilot also features an insulin calculator that is designed to take into account the protein, carbohydrate, and fiber content of foods you enter for meals in order to calculate the number of insulin units you need to reach your targeted blood sugar level.

best diabetes app 2018Pros

  • Record and track your data including medications, exercise, weight, blood pressure, and meals in one place. You can also use the Flexible Note Records to record your events, test results, and any other data you may like.
  • The integrated food database allows you to count calories carbohydrates and other nutritional information. Moreover, you can use the updated food database to search and scan barcodes.
  • The app generates comprehensive graphs and reports that allow you to find trends in your medications, blood sugar levels, and other areas. Save and print reports in order to share them with your doctor.
  • The app allows you to sync data between devices.

Cons

  • There are additional charges to buy the software to sync food information and data to a computer.
  • The insulin does not take into consideration additional factors such as previous dose, exercise, and other factors that could affect your insulin dose.

Check out the article on Non-Invasive Glucose Meter Here!

WaveSense Diabetes Manager

WaveSense Diabetes Manager allows you to keep track of your blood glucose results, insulin doses, and carbohydrate intake.

The main features include :

  • video content from dLife,
  • a log book,
  • email reports,
  • trend charts,
  • color-coded results,
  • and fully customizable mealtime schedules and target ranges for hyper-/hypoglycemia limits.

smartphone apps for diabetes managementPros

  • Attractive design and easy navigation
  • Ability to easily customize for target blood glucose range, insulin use, meal schedules, and targets for pre-/post-prandial meals.
  • Easy food lookup
  • Allows for detailed notes regarding exercise, blood glucose entry, abnormalities in medication regime, excessive fat intake, alcohol, sick days, or skipped meals.
  • Recipes with detailed nutrition data.
  • WaveSense Diabetes Manager includes a share function allowing users to email their logbook data to their dietitians or other health professionals.
  • Videos featuring interviews and recipe demos with diabetes patients (both celebrities and regular people).
  • No intrusive advertisements

What's the best diabetes smartphone appCons

  • The app doesn’t include an option for food journaling or a food tracker. A food journal has proven to be very helpful especially for people who have been newly diagnosed with diabetes especially when it comes to understanding how food patterns affect their blood sugar outcomes.

Read more about Diabetic Watches HERE!

There’s much enthusiasm, especially among diabetes patients, caregivers, and the industry to use a wide range of digital tools, particularly for diabetes self-management. Although large control trials are still needed to establish the cost-benefits and effectiveness of digital tools in improving diabetes outcomes, the future is promising. dario blood glucose monitoring system

Check out our article on the very popular, Liberty Diabetic supplies Here

Read about the new DARIO smartphone app for Diabetes HERE!

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