FAQs

How much does Saltie cost?

Saltie will be offered for free when it launches, and we want to keep that way. We also want to ensure Saltie can stay online for a long time, which is going to require revenue or additional funding. We’re exploring different ways to keep Saltie running in a sustainable way, that would allow as many people with diabetes as possible to use the app for free. If you have suggestions or ideas on how to do this, please let us know.

What is A1C and how do you calculate it?

According to the CDC:

The A1C test—also known as the hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test—is a simple blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months. It’s one of the commonly used tests to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes, and is also the main test to help you and your health care team manage your diabetes. Higher A1C levels are linked to diabetes complications, so reaching and maintaining your individual A1C goal is really important if you have diabetes.

We estimate A1C using daily averages (also known as eAG or “estimated average glucose”), and for long-range reports, we average a week of daily averages.

The formula we use to estimate A1C is from Nathan, David M., et al. “Translating the A1C assay into estimated average glucose values.” Diabetes care 31.8 (2008): 1473-1478. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18540046/.

Linear regression analysis between the A1C and AG values provided the tightest correlations (AG(mg/dl) = 28.7 x A1C - 46.7, R(2) = 0.84, P < 0.0001), allowing calculation of an estimated average glucose (eAG) for A1C values.

Where did your food data come from?

Saltie incorporates the most recent version of the USDA Branded Food Products Database, from April 2022. The dataset of nearly 400,000 entries is sourced from a public-private partnership whose goal is to enhance the open sharing of nutrient data that appear on branded and private label foods and are provided by the food industry.