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How Giancarlo Caldesi enjoys food with type 2 diabetes
The chef and restaurateur shares how the FreeStyle Libre 2 system helps him
A type 2 diabetes diagnosis can steal the joy from food, as you may find yourself spending more time worrying about whether whatever you’re eating will cause a glucose spike, than focusing on just how good it tastes. But imagine how hard that is when you’re also a celebrated chef.
That’s the position Giancarlo Caldesi, the Italian owner of Caldesi in both Marylebone and Bray, found himself in until he discovered the FreeStyle Libre 2 system.
The continuous glucose monitor, which physicians recommend over others1,2, provides real-time glucose readings9,10. So, if a food spikes your glucose more or less than you expected, you can record that on your app. That way, you’ve got a better picture of how you respond to various foods.
Read on to discover how this sensor helped Giancarlo to manage his diabetes better – and how, along with the right food combinations, it can help you do that, too7…
Giancarlo’s experience with the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus system
Giancarlo was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2011. Since then, he’s been on an incredible learning journey, thanks to the FreeStyle Libre 2 system, which he calls “an invaluable tool”.
“It feels like I have a working detective in my arm and he monitors my glucose and also helps me to manage my food intake better than anything else I have experienced so far,” he says.
“Type 2 diabetes isn’t about a restricted diet, it’s a lifestyle. My choice of food has become much more selective. Quality food is most important – you can see the changes immediately. Along with movement, it’s made such an impact on taking my glucose levels down.
“The FreeStyle Libre 2 system is the easiest thing to use. You can check the app9 at any given moment and that gives you the assurance that you’re on the right track. It’s on your phone, nobody else knows what you’re looking at, then you can turn your phone off and know everything’s fine. It’s an amazing tool.
“Every day starts the same way. I check my LibreLink app9 on my phone and take stock of my glucose level to help me make choices as I start my day. Since my diagnosis, regular exercise has become a big part of my life. The life of a chef doesn’t always lend itself to a particularly good work life balance, but I now make sure I find even 15 minutes to get into my garden and lift some weights or do some gentle exercising. The impact this has on both my mental health and my glucose levels is huge.
“Snacking has always been a challenge for me. Changing my habits around eating has definitely been the biggest change. I don’t want to just pick on food at the restaurant. I want to choose the right snacks, and sometimes I prepare them in advance and bring them with me.
“At the end of the day, I do a final check with my glucose level and knowing that I’m on track just helps me feel much better going to bed… When my glucose is well managed, I have a better day. I’m much more energetic, I’m much more clear in my head. Knowing how accountable I am for my type 2 diabetes has made me feel much brighter, more alive. And really, it’s given me a different outlook.”
How the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor can help you
The FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor is easy to use, and to apply and wear3, and it doesn’t involve any fingerpricks4.
It monitors your glucose levels continuously, giving you accurate5 and reliable real-time readings every minute, to help you identify which foods keep your glucose levels in range, and which ones may cause them to spike.
This data allows you to see the impact of every meal, every workout and every dose – replacing diabetes guesswork with continuous measurements.
You can also set optional minute-to-minute alarms to stay one step ahead7, and check your levels when you’re on the go, with a quick glance at your smartphone8,9. And you can even wear it while bathing, swimming10 or doing any other form of exercise, and each sensor can last up to 15 days.
Why you should try food pairing along with a FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor
If you’re living with type 2 diabetes, you may think some foods are off the table for you now, but food affects everyone individually, and what makes one person’s glucose spike, may not be the case for someone else.
With the knowledge the FreeStyle Libre 2 system’s system’s real-time glucose readings provide, you may discover that you don’t need to give up the foods you enjoy, especially when you incorporate food pairing into your approach.
Why? Because when you pair carbohydrate foods with protein or fat, they can help curb a glucose spike. So, for example, bananas are often perceived to make blood glucose levels rise but eating them with yogurt or peanut butter can help you manage them.
The same is true of grapes when accompanied with a handful of almonds or walnuts. Meanwhile, toast can be paired with cheese, egg and peanut butter, and oats or porridge with nuts, seeds, milk or yogurt.
Give it a try yourself – it may help you rediscover some of your old favourite foods!
Want to see how the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor can help you? Order a free sample today
Images are for illustrative purposes only. Not actual patients.
1. Patient satisfaction and physician preferences reported for FreeStyle Libre 2, Dexcom G6/G5/G4, Eversense, Medtronic Guardian Sensor 3 and Enlite Sensor, and Medtrum A6TouchCare.
2. Varughese, B. Diabetes Stoffw Herz 30 (2021): 231-242.
3. Haak, T. Diabetes Therapy (2017): https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-016-0223-6.
4. Finger pricks are required if glucose readings do not match symptoms or expectations.
5. Alva et al. Diabetes SciTechnol (2025): https://doi.org/10.1177/19322968251329364
6. The information provided is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional about your diabetes management. Individual symptoms, situations and circumstances may vary.
7. Notifications will only be received when alarms are turned on and the sensor is within 6 metres unobstructed of the reading device.
8. The FreeStyle LibreLink app is only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check the website for more information about device compatibility before using the app. Use of FreeStyle LibreLink may require registration with LibreView.
9. Glucose readings are automatically displayed in the FreeStyle LibreLink app only when the smartphone and sensor are connected and in range.
10. Sensor is water-resistant in up to 1m (3ft) of water. Do not immerse longer than 30 mins.
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