According to CDC, about 10.5% of the total US population is suffering from diabetes. This includes various types like type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes.
Managing diabetes was cumbersome and taxing in the past, but now the non-intrusive CGMs have made it possible to painlessly track your blood sugar. However, keeping track of all the things like carb counts, insulin doses, A1C, blood pressure, and so on, can be overwhelming.
Previously apps on the iPhone did an excellent job to help the user manage their diabetes. But the Apple Watch took it to another level. Now you can log data on the go, monitor blood sugar right from the wrist, and have set smart reminders and alerts as extra help.
No doubt, Apple Watch Series 4, 5, 6, and 7 are excellent wearables for diabetes management mainly due to the sheer number of WatchOS apps for the disease.
Here, we have round up some of the Best Apple Watch Apps that can monitor blood sugar, Blood pressure, carb intake, exercise. A1C, medication, and more. Some of them even go as far as to provide you with a one-to-one consultation with a trained professional.
So without further ado, let’s find out.
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Table of Contents
Top Apple Watch Apps For Diabetes patients:
Diabetes: M
Apple Rating: 4.6
Diabetes:M is a diabetes management app that can be used by both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics to keep their levels under control. This diabetes app can track your blood glucose levels. It can show trends in levels with detailed reports comprising charts and statistics.
The app has a vast food database that helps to track your health and nutrition information. You can also track your glucose levels and insulin doses with it as well as view your carbs and calories intake for the current day.
One of the many great features is being able to sync data from various apps such as Dexcom, One Touch, Accu-Chek, Agamatrix, iHealth, Dario, Garmin, Fitbit, Nike+, UP by Jawbone, Misfit, Pebble, Human, Strava, My Fitness Pal, Lose it!
Glucose – Blood Sugar Tracker
Apple Rating: 4.7
HealthKit integration estimated A1C level, and easy-to-use interface makes this app an excellent choice for diabetes management.
The Glucose Tracker App makes it possible to track insulin doses, glucose levels, medications prescribed by a doctor, and more while also providing reminders about checking your blood sugar levels at different times during the day. These features are invaluable when you have type 1 or 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
In addition to this, the app also helps you to keep close tabs on blood pressure, carbohydrates, weight, and ketones diet.
OneDrop:
Apple Rating: 4.5
OneDrop is a one-stop solution for people with diabetes, Prediabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. The app tracks your blood glucose, diet, and medication as you manage your diabetes. Moreover, you can directly attach a Bluetooth-enabled sugar meter to sync data directly to the Apple Watch.
Most of the features are free that include a coaching component, Apple Health integration, detailed reports, and much more. The premium users can have access to one-to-one coaching for more personalized treatment.
In addition to this, the app encourages you to adopt a healthy lifestyle with its interactive transformation plan. It is basically a compilation of infographics, prompts, commitment pledges, articles, and quizzes that helps you transform your habits into more healthy ones.
Another premium feature is health Forecasting & insights for people suffering from Type-2 diabetes. The app’s Ai-powered algorithm would predict future blood sugar levels and help you avert the disaster by informed recommendations.
ECG Monitoring: (Built-in App)
Apple was the first to get the FDA approval for ECG tracking and the feature was first introduced in Series 4. Though ECG tracking and Blood Glucose are not directly related, the feature is nonetheless very important.
Diabetes is an incurable disease and over time if not managed properly it can lead to major heart diseases. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves and so can lead to heart failure. ECG tracking on the Apple Watch will inform you in time with actionable notifications when are you more susceptible to heart-related diseases.
Dexcom G6:
Apple Rating: 2.9
Dexcom devices are the most popular CGMs across the US and most insurance got them covered. So if you own a Dexcom G6 and an Apple Watch, there is no need for analyzing your blood sugar data on the iPhone or the Dexcom Device, you can monitor it from the comfort of your wrist.
The app will allow you real-time glucose readings, every five minutes. However, you can set the time yourself. Also, you can monitor trends in your blood sugar levels throughout the day. It features a smart alert that informs you whether your sugar level is getting too high or too low.
The App is free to use, but its limitation to keep the iPhone in the loop for the Apple Watch to show glucose data is what makes people rate it so low.
MyFitnessPal:
Apple Rating: 4.7
Myfitnesspal is your best companion to manage your diabetic diet. It makes it easy for you to know what and how many carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are in the foods you eat. It also calculates your calorie intake and keeps a track of your weight loss goals.
The app is very simple with its user-friendly interface that looks like an ordinary calorie counter on steroids. You can add or manage foods from their huge food database or add them manually if they’re not there yet. The built-in barcode scanner works really fast. (You will have to use your iPhone for it)
Plus, it doubles as an exercise tracker. With the help of an onboard heart monitoring sensor, you can log your workouts and exercise directly on the myfitnesspal app.
Carb Manager: Keto Diet App
Apple Rating: 4.8
Carb Manager is an excellent alternative to myfitnesspal for diabetes patients with Apple Watch. It includes an easy recipe importer, food diary, weight loss goal manager, and a barcode scanner for fast food item entry.
Primarily, It focuses on tracking carbs as well as protein, fat, and calorie intake. It also lets you set weight loss goals or follow ketogenic diet guidelines.
The free version is limited to a food diary, calorie counter, and weight loss along with exercise tracking like myfitnesspal. Whereas, premium subscription has features like blood glucose monitoring as well as insulin values. (Remember Apple Watch doesn’t track blood sugar, rather you have to add sugar levels manually)
Diabetes Tracker by MyNetDiary
Apple Rating: 4.7
MyNetDiary is the all-in-one solution for people suffering from diabetes type 1, type 2, pre-diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
It offers all the features you need to keep track of to manage your diabetes. You can manually add blood glucose and insulin value or meals and water intake. It works flawlessly with SIRI and so supports voice commands.
Like Carb scanner and Myfitnesspal, it comes with a food database and bars code scanner to keep track of your nutrient intake.
Moreover, the app comes with blood glucose reminders, medication tracking, and detailed daily, weekly, and monthly summary reports. It helps you understand the relationship between workouts, diet, and blood glucose levels.
One caveat for this app is that you need a premium subscription to sync data with fitness trackers and scales which costs you about $9/month.
Conclusion:
The Apple Watch is a great device for people with diabetes because it allows them to monitor their blood sugar levels and exercise.
Apart from the built-in health sensor, it offers support for numerous third-party apps like Myfitnesspal, Carb Manager, or Diabetes Tracker by MyNetDiary.
Apple is determined to launch a smartwatch with non-intrusive glucose tracking, which might replace the need for the above-mentioned apps.
Until then, we would have to rely on third-party CGMs like Dexcom G6 and Freestyle Libre and the diabetes management apps on the Apple Watch.