Serena Williams shares why she's addicted to this wellness trend

Serena Williams has a clear stance when it comes to the word "diet." The 43-year-old tennis legend says she avoids using the term entirely. "Whenever I'm on a diet, I gain weight," she explains during a phone interview from Florida. "I don't even use the word diet." Although the "D" word is off-limits, Williams is still deeply focused on her health—especially since becoming a mother to her daughters, Olympia, 7, and Adira, 1. "Now that I’ve stopped playing tennis, I’ve become so obsessed with being healthy, eating healthy, and living healthy. I even have a farm," Williams shares. A key part of her wellness journey includes working with Lingo, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) from Abbott, which tracks blood sugar levels. The idea behind CGMs is that our bodies react differently to various foods, and monitoring glucose may benefit even those without diabetes. Blood sugar fluctuations, some research suggests, can significantly affect mood and energy. The use of CGMs by non-diabetics is gaining traction, though not all health experts agree on their broad usefulness. Critics argue that the trend may be overhyped, questioning whether it's truly worth the effort for those without diabetes. What Are CGMs? Continuous glucose monitors are small sensors placed under the skin, usually on the arm, that track blood sugar levels in real-time. These devices sync with a smartphone, offering data on how glucose fluctuates throughout the day. CGMs are primarily used by people with diabetes, often in conjunction with insulin pumps. However, they can also be quite expensive, with some costing thousands of dollars annually, though certain insurance plans may cover them. For Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, using a CGM has provided valuable insights into how their bodies respond to food. "I saw that maybe my levels don't spike as high, and maybe that's not normal, but maybe that's my normal," Williams says. "But a lot of the stuff, like gelato, didn’t necessarily spike my glucose a lot, but I did see pancakes and syrup that did." The Debate Around CGMs for Non-Diabetics Despite the growing popularity of CGMs among healthy individuals, some experts remain skeptical. Dr. Robert Shmerling, senior faculty editor at Harvard Health Publishing, has cautioned that the science behind CGMs for non-diabetics is still limited. While people like Williams may find the data useful, Shmerling believes the research does not fully support their widespread use. A Focus on Longevity Williams is clear about her goal: maintaining health for the long haul. "We’re all thinking about longevity," she says. "Longevity is something that we have to work at." For Williams, it's about making the best choices for her future and creating the healthiest environment for herself and her children. "I’m in that journey in my life where I want to work at that, and I want to create the best scenario I can for that."