How does continuous glucose monitoring impact Medical Nutrition Therapy for diabetes?

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) significantly impacts Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) for diabetes by providing real-time glucose data that helps guide individualized dietary adjustments. With CGM, patients and healthcare providers can observe how different foods, meals, and snacks affect blood glucose levels throughout the day. This data allows for more precise tailoring of nutrient intake, timing of meals, and carbohydrate counting to optimize glycemic control.

Understanding glucose patterns can lead to informed decisions about food choices and meal planning. For instance, if a patient notices that certain carbohydrates cause spikes in their glucose levels, they can adjust portion sizes, swap for lower glycemic index options, or change meal timing accordingly. This dynamic response to individual glucose data enhances the effectiveness of MNT by aligning dietary approaches with personal metabolic responses.

The other options do not accurately represent the role of continuous glucose monitoring in diabetes management. Measuring blood pressure, replacing dietary management, or tracking exercise levels do not reflect the primary purpose of CGM, which is focused on glucose metabolism and how it can inform dietary habits for improved health outcomes in individuals with diabetes.