Your Guide to Long-Term Blood Glucose Monitoring
- ahwcweb
- Aug 27
- 6 min read
James owned and operated a small café, serving up buttery biscuits and syrup-drenched pancakes to a loyal crowd of early risers. He loved the hustle, the clatter of dishes, and the smell of fresh coffee. Then suddenly at 58, he started losing his energy, he got tired easily, and always thirsty, hungry, and running to the bathroom. He finally agreed to go to the doctor for his routine checkup. Lab work was done, and James was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after the lab result for the Hemoglobin A1c [AKA: glycated hemoglobin or simply A1c] of 12.4. His doctor warned him: change your habits or face serious complications. Then he referred James to me and ordered him a glucometer.
James started small. He began checking his levels before and after meals, logging everything from his famous sausage gravy to the occasional apple. Each evening he sent his tracking sheets to me. The numbers didn’t lie — his old favorites were wreaking havoc. So he got creative. He introduced healthier options to the menu: whole grain toast, whole grain hot cereal, veggie omelets with “Just” eggs (plant-based egg substitute), and fruit salads. He even developed a recipe for whole grain biscuits and a delicious cashew gravy with plant-based sausage. To his surprise, customers embraced the changes, and his own readings began to stabilize. He then added some evening exercise into his routine and water become his beverage of choice.
Managing diabetes—or even preventing it—requires more than just checking your blood sugar daily. It requires a lifestyle change and monitoring glucose levels to see how your body is responding to the food you are giving it.
In this blog we are going to focus on understanding Hemoglobin A1c.
What Is Hemoglobin A1c?
When sugar enters your bloodstream, it binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells. Since red blood cells live about 3 months, the A1c test reflects your average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months.
Why Is the A1c Test Important?
The A1c test is important in diabetes care.
It helps:
Diagnose prediabetes and diabetes
Monitor how well your treatment plan is working
Adjust medications or lifestyle strategies
Unlike daily glucose tests, which show short-term fluctuations, A1c gives a broader picture of your blood sugar control.
How Is the Test Done?
There are two main methods:
Lab test: Blood drawn from a vein, sent to a lab—most accurate.
Finger prick: Quick results, used for monitoring but not diagnosis.
No fasting is required, and you can eat and drink normally before the test.
What Influences A1c Levels?
Several factors can affect your A1c:
Lifestyle: diet, exercise, hydration, sleep [Link to 8.13.25 blog]
Medication
Stress and illness
Other health conditions like anemia can skew results
Interpreting A1c Results
A1c Level | What It Means |
Below 5.7% | Normal |
5.7%–6.4% | Prediabetes |
6.5% or higher | Diabetes (confirmed with two tests) |
For many people living with diabetes, the goal is to keep A1c below 7%. However, if you want to reverse type 2 diabetes then the goal would be to have it in the normal range, that is below 5.7.
Tips to Lower Your A1c
If your A1c is higher than you'd like, here are some strategies:
Choose whole plant foods, reduce sugar and refined/highly processed food intake
Increase physical activity
Drink a sufficient amount of water
Track your food and blood sugar regularly
Work closely with your healthcare providers including your dietitian to tailor your program to fit your particular needs.
Six months later, James had lost weight, lowered his A1c to 7.0, and felt sharper than he had in years. The café had a new vibe—still warm and welcoming, but with a fresh twist. Regulars asked for his “diabetic-friendly, plant-based” specials, and James proudly shared his journey. Changing his food choices and monitoring the results hadn’t just saved his health — it transformed his business and inspired a community to eat better.
Today, James is off all insulin and medications for diabetes and his A1c is 5.5! Your A1c isn’t just a number, it is a reflection of your metabolic health. Keeping it in check can reduce your risk of complications like heart disease, kidney damage, challenges, neuropathy and amputations.
Reversing Type 2 Diabetes is Possible! Would you like to Reverse Diabetes?
Freedom from Diabetes: Reclaim Your Life and Health,
September 17-28, 2025
If you’re desiring improved blood glucose levels, more energy, better sleep, and craving time to unplug, clear your mind, refresh, and refill your spiritual cup – then join us for 12 days of deep immersion into better health, vitality and joy in the pristine nature of Sunny Dawn Acres near Eureka Springs, Arkansas. There you’ll have the time to connect with God and come back home with more energy, lower glucose levels, and a renewed passion for all you’re creating in your life.
Wouldn't it be amazing to cut through the confusion and find clear guidance for managing diabetes and finally successfully have glucose levels in range?
Can you imagine how empowering it would feel to break free from a lifestyle that doesn't support your health and how liberating it would feel to shed those 50 pounds?
Wouldn’t it be life-changing to alleviate worries about diabetes complications and live without fear of an amputation?
How awesome would it feel to live without constant foot pain?
Can you imagine how wonderful it would feel to regain your energy?
On this soul-nourishing and healing retreat:
As we dive deep into God’s healing health plan, using Biblically-based techniques, you will gain control over your lifestyle, health, and the ability to provide for your family so you can cherish those precious moments together know exactly how to lower glucose levels naturally.
Through hands-on trainings and cooking classes, you will discover how to prepare meals to control blood sugars and lose weight so you can live with peace of mind.
By practicing God’s saving health plan, you will discover freedom from fear of amputation and other diabetes complications so you can enjoy life fully focusing on wellness.
Through massage and hydrotherapy, you will experience relief from pain so you can move comfortably.
By practicing your personalized health plan, you will unlock the ability to renew your energy so you can once again do the things you love to do again!
Throughout our time together, you will understand God’s health plan so you can navigate life with confidence knowing God has your best interest in mind.
While stepping into the Power of God, through cooperating with His comprehensive health plan, you will relieve your fears of having diabetes complications so you can live a life of joy again.
By the end of this retreat, you will have gained
Clarity on type 2 diabetes management,
Developed a personalized health plan to reclaim your life and Health,
So you can live a vibrant and empowered life
Without diabetes complications.
And have incredible memories (and pictures) of your Freedom from Diabetes Retreat and new friends!
What’s Included:
Pre-retreat consultation to set the intent for our journey together.
ALL our amazing meals – starting with supper on September 17 and ending with breakfast on September 28 (you will pack a sack lunch for your trip home).
11 nights lodging at the beautiful Sunny Dawn Acres nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.
All teachings and outings (including outing transportation).
Grocery Shopping Tour and Eating out Experience.
Massage and hydrotherapy treatments.
Exiting consultation to set your intent for home and life success.
What’s Not Included:
Your round-trip airfare or other transportation from home to Sunny Dawn Acres.
Medical treatment or assistance.
Souvenirs, etc.
Any additional meals, food, etc. you purchase during our outings.
If you come early or stay extra time, this is not included in our retreat.
Any extra spa services.
Medication and supplements.
Invest in Your Health, for Freedom from Diabetes so you can live the rest of Your Life with Peace of Mind!
Retreat Dates: September 17-28, 2025
Retreat Early Bird Special: $4,497 USD per person.
(After September 4, 2025, $4,997/person)
Ready to Join? Call 479-363-6585 to Reserve Your Room.
Not sure if this retreat is for you? Or need a payment plan? Feel free to connect with Dana at Dana@AbundantHealthWellnessCenter.org or call 417-459-5201 she can help!
Abundant Health Wellness Center at Sunny Dawn Acres
798 Madison 8645
Huntsville, AR 72740
Office: 479-363-6585 Cell: 417-459-5201
Abundant Health Wellness Center help individuals struggling with diabetes transform their health so they can live vibrant, empowered lives free from the progression of complications of the disease.
Blue Skies,
Dana West, RD
Abundant Health and Wellness Center
14558 US-412
Huntsville, AR 72740
“Reversing Diabetes IS POSSIBLE.”
Dana West, RDN, LD, ACLMDIP
Dana holds a bachelors in Dietetics and is board certified in Lifestyle Medicine, with emphasis in human nutrition, physiology and nutrition education. She is registered with the Commission of Dietetic Registration and is licensed with the state of AR. Dana has a passion for helping people embrace health and conquer disease.
She is the co-founder and president of Abundant Health Wellness Center and the creator of the Start a New YOU!® program.
And is the author of three books:
Kick-Start to a New YOU: a 10-day Cleanse.
Start a New YOU!® Cookbook: low allergy and anti-inflammatory cookbook with a 2 week menu and all the recipes needed for that menu.
Start a New YOU!® Reflections: A health devotional highlighting the Ten Essentials for Health™ that she covers in the Start a New YOU!® Program to reverse inflammation and chronic disease.
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