On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, Ankur Khaitan spoke to Dr Arbinder Singhal, co-founder and CEO of Fitterfly, the platform that helps people regain control over diabetes. The conversation ranged from the motivation to start Fitterfly, to how the platform is able to customise recommendations that deliver real solutions. The chat concluded with three things most diabetics don’t know about their diabetes – we trust you’ll find it informative.
Ankur: What moved you to set up Fitterfly?
Arbinder: Fitterfly was born from deeply personal experiences and a drive to make a real difference. Growing up, I saw my father battle diabetes for over 30 years, witnessing the toll it took on his health and spirit. I lost two first cousins to diabetes-related complications and the subsequent surgeries that followed. This relentless grip of diabetes on my family became a powerful reminder of how devastating this condition can be, and it stirred a resolve in me: I wanted to create something that could help people manage - and, if possible, escape - the burden of diabetes. That resolve became the foundation of Fitterfly.
In 2020, the mission took a personal turn when I was diagnosed with prediabetes with lot of blood sugar fluctuations. Though I successfully reversed it with Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and the right lifestyle changes guided by the Fitterfly platform, the whole experience reinforced my determination to grow Fitterfly into something even more impactful.
My co-founder, Shailesh, shares a similar story. Diabetes has affected several members of his family, including his mother, who has faced her own struggles with the condition. These experiences only strengthened our shared commitment to creating something meaningful.
Together, we envisioned Fitterfly as more than just a support system - it would be a holistic platform that extends beyond nutritional guidance to provide complete support for stress, sleep, pain, and fitness, all powered by AI and data insights. Our vision is to empower people to actively manage diabetes rather than passively endure it. Over the years, Fitterfly has evolved into a powerful platform that helps people live healthier lives despite diabetes. And for me personally, it’s been life-changing to see how insights from my CGM data has kept my blood sugar stable which is proof of the transformative possibilities of technology-driven, lifestyle-based care.
Ankur: In your experience, what are the chief barriers to diabetes control?
Arbinder: One of the biggest challenges I’ve observed in diabetes management is the mental barrier that sets in after diagnosis. Many people feel as though diabetes is a one-way street that marks the end of a life they once enjoyed. They worry they’ll have to give up their favourite foods, follow restrictive diets, or commit to exercise routines that feel overwhelming.
With the right lifestyle changes backed by solid data, it’s even possible to reverse diabetes within the first five years after diagnosis. In fact, with the proper support and technology, many can manage diabetes for 5, 10, or even 15 years without needing medication. People really don’t realise how much power they actually have to influence their health.
The third barrier is time. We’re all busy, and it can be hard to make health a priority despite knowing it's most important. That’s why I recommend the ‘80-20 principle’. You invest 80% of your energy into 20% of the things that will really make a difference. This can be transformative.
Small steps like a quick walk after meals or choosing certain foods can go a long way in managing diabetes. With a few smart habits, it becomes less about making sacrifices and more about finding what fits into your life.
Ankur: Can a DTx platform like Fitterfly provide deep customisation?
Arbinder: Absolutely. These days, we’re surrounded by personal health data - from smartwatches and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to blood tests and health assessments. Fitterfly takes all this information and uses it to create a truly customized experience for each person. By understanding individual needs, we can give people tailored recommendations that make a real difference in their diabetes management.
For instance, using Fitterfly’s platform, I discovered that whenever I ate wheat, my blood sugar spiked more than with other grains. Cutting down on wheat had an immediate impact on stabilising my levels. Then there’s mango - one of my favourite fruits. I was worried I’d have to give it up, but I found that if I ate it early in the morning before exercise, my blood sugar stayed stable. These kinds of small, personal tweaks help me enjoy what I love while keeping my health in check.
Exercise is another area where personalization matters and deep customization is possible. We use data to figure out which activities help stabilize your blood sugar the most, like a quick 15-minute walk after meals to prevent spikes for a lot of our members . When people receive these types of customized insights, they can make meaningful, sustainable changes that fit easily into their lives. It’s not about one-size-fits-all; it’s about making diabetes management personal, practical and ‘possible’.
Ankur: Tell us three things the average diabetic doesn't know about diabetes care.
Arbinder: The first thing that most people don’t realise is that the same diet does NOT work for everyone with diabetes. Some people do well with rice, others with wheat, and for some, millets might work better - it varies from person to person, even if they have the same type of diabetes. This is where technology and expert guidance can help create a diet that’s uniquely suited to each individual.
The second thing many people don’t know is that diabetes can, in some cases, be reversed, especially in the early stages of type 2 diabetes. Within the first five years after diagnosis, making lifestyle changes, taking the right medication, and using technology, can greatly improve the chances of reversal. After five years, reversal becomes harder, but making these changes can still reduce or even remove the need for medication.
Lastly, people often don’t recognize how much stress and sleep impact diabetes. High stress triggers the hormone cortisol, which raises blood sugar and can lead to weight gain around the abdomen. Similarly, just one poor night’s sleep can push blood sugar up by 4-5% the next day. While many focus on diet, exercise, and medication, managing stress and sleep is equally important for effective diabetes control.
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