Diabetes Care with Intuitive Eating
Wondering about pre-diabetes or insulin resistance? I have a new class just for you! Learn more here.
Intuitive Eating for Diabetes Program
Diabetes to Date
1.2 million people were diagnosed with diabetes in the year 2021 (the most recent year we have data for). That makes a total of 28.5 million US adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Additionally, 98 million people (or 38% of the adult US population) have prediabetes.
We know a large majority of people have received very little education about diabetes. Some people are not even aware of their diagnosis. And of the ones who have been told by their provider that they have diabetes, most have been told simply to lose weight and cut out carbs or sugar. Would it shock you to know none of these things are necessary to manage diabetes?
Diabetes from a Different Lens
Here's the thing: diabetes is super interesting from a medical/academic standpoint. It involves several hormones, body systems, organs, genes, and more. Yet, it gets boiled down to "carbohydrates are the problem."
We're not suggesting everyone who has diabetes needs to take a biochemistry class to learn about their condition. We believe there's plenty to learn that can help you feel empowered to manage your diabetes.
We are here to assure that carbohydrates are not the problem, you don't need to cut them out to manage your blood sugars, and you actually shouldn't cut out carbohydrates.
When Health Care Professionals Miss the Mark
My experience of people with diabetes is that health care practitioners offer too much overly simplified and unhelpful advice (like cut out sugar or do more exercise), too much weight stigma (fact: any amount of weight stigma is too much), and way too much blame put on the person and their choices. As a result, people with diabetes end up confused, frustrated, and full of shame about their diagnosis or the worsening of their condition.
Diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease, meaning it doesn't go away and it gets worse over time. Giving up due to frustration or burnout can lead to developing complications. If we work together, you can avoid these pitfalls and stay engaged in your care as an active participant. You are the most important member of your diabetes management team!
Food For Thought:
• Type 2 diabetes has a strong genetic component. So, you can "do everything right" and still get it. And even if you aren't "doing everything right," it's still not your fault if you get diabetes.
• Diabetes is a progressive disease, so even though it's important to take care of it, it will get worse over the course of your life. This is not your fault, because, again, diabetes is a progressive disease.
• There is no cure for diabetes. Even if you lose weight, you will still need to manage your diabetes.
Adding Up What We Know
You might be thinking to yourself, "my doctor told me I have to lose weight." I have no doubt your doctor told you that. After all, we know that weight loss can be helpful in managing blood sugars. We also know that the effects are not permanent. We also know that most people who lose weight will gain that weight back plus more. And we know that restrictive eating (or dieting) is associated with disordered eating, and that weight cycling (losing and gaining weight repeatedly) can make blood sugar control more challenging.
A Better Approach
The conclusion I have drawn (and perhaps you have too, at this point) is that focusing on weight is unhelpful at best and harmful at worst.
A better approach is to focus on sustainable behaviors that help keep blood sugars in range regardless of weight. In addition, many people with diabetes already have some disordered eating, so addressing the relationship to food will be essential even before tackling diabetes.
Free State Nutrition Presents: Intuitive Eating for Diabetes
With these concepts in mind, I have created my Intuitive Eating for Diabetes Program. This course provides the education people with diabetes need to be successful at managing blood sugars, the weight-neutral approach to food called Intuitive Eating, and the one-on-one support to get it all done.
If you are curious about whether this program might be right for you, schedule a call with me. We ask that you call your insurance provider to check on your benefits using this guide. I will answer all of your questions. We'll discuss the program topics, program fees, and how it all works. I can't wait to talk to you!
Have you noticed something missing? I have pretty strong feelings about weight loss or weight "management." I don't fault anyone for wanting to change their body or feeling like they need to for their health. At the same time, I will not be part of that mission.
Find out why I don't assist my clients with intentional weight loss by watching the video to the right. If you'd like to read about the research backing up my stance, check out this article from the data guru herself, Ragen Chastain.
Complimentary Call for Diabetes Clients
Find out if working with us is right for you before scheduling your first appointment. On this call, we will discuss your diabetes story, what you hope to achieve, and what the program looks like.