A blood glucose is performed not only to confirm a diabetes diagnosis, it is also an important way that people with diabetes can manage their glucose levels.

This information helps people with diabetes balance their diet, exercise, and medication regimens so that their glucose levels don’t go too high or fall too low.

Here are the other two types of glucose tests that provide a fuller evaluation.

• A1c test. Formally called the Hemoglobin A1c test or sometimes HbA1c, this test has traditionally been given to people with diabetes to learn how well their disease is being controlled. But it’s now being used as a diagnostic tool as well. While the blood glucose test is just a snapshot of your blood sugar, the A1c test provides an evaluation of your blood sugar over the past three months.

• Fructosamine test. The main advantage of the test is that it can detect overall changes in blood glucose within a few weeks, rather than months. Fructosamine levels indicate the level of blood glucose control over the past two or three weeks. So it is very useful for diabetes management.

Sugar is one of the main drivers in heart disease, and simply must be avoided.

Don’t fall into the trap of food manufacturers, the restaurant industry, and even advertisers who have tied overconsumption into so many of our major holidays.

Cut out sugar, and you’ll be thinner and healthier for it.