What is a Diabetes Dietitian?
Diabetes Dietitian
A diabetes dietitian is a nutrition expert that specializes in diabetes care.
A registered dietitian (RD) has the training and expertise within the field of nutrition to work with individuals of all ages to gain control over their health. From providing tools and knowledge, clients have the potential to learn the steps they need to significantly improve their overall health and lifestyle.
A dietitian specializing in diabetes takes it a step further by gaining additional experience and education to support individuals looking to prevent and manage their diagnosis.
Do You Need a Diabetes Dietitian?
Diabetes prevalence continues to significantly increase with 37.3 million Americans impacted by the disease (1). It costs individuals thousands of dollars every year to manage prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Because it is primarily a lifestyle related disease, diabetes can be properly managed and ultimately reversed into submission.
Diabetes does not develop overnight and thus cannot be reversed overnight. However, with consistent action, a reversal is possible over time.
This is where a dietitian specializing in diabetes can support and be a valuable resource!
Together, you can discuss where you are currently at in your diagnosis and create actionable steps to manage the disease.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself to determine if it’s time to work with a dietitian:
How long have you been trying to navigate diabetes management and what success have you had so far?
Do you need accountability, especially when life gets challenging and throws curve balls your way?
Are you aware of which health trends you’re following and whether they are credible and even helping you?
Are the choices you make every day sustainable for the next 20 or 30 years?
Who Is Meg?
I didn’t realize it at the time, but as a teacher planting a backyard garden with my third-grade elementary school class in Carpinteria, California, it wasn’t just the sweet red peppers and rainbow carrots my students enjoyed. It was also sowing the seeds for my life path that would lead me to the field of nutrition. This was in 2008 when the field really started to take off—and it inspired me when I saw my students excited.
Also around that time, I got my first graduate degree in Educational Psychology. And it struck me - I love higher-level learning and educating people. Those two things, combined with my burgeoning interest in nutrition, brought me back to graduate school to change careers 13 years later to obtain my Masters in Nutrition, Healthspan and Longevity from the University of Southern California and become a Registered Dietitian.
I worked at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, where I screened patient nutritional and health status to develop individualized meal and drink plans to maximize their health. I also developed nutrition education materials for diseases related to heart health, renal disease and obesity. One of the most rewarding parts of this position was working with the community. I had the opportunity to create a series of diabetes and general nutrition classes. I absolutely loved interacting with the people who came to my nutrition classes!
After working in other clinical settings with patients who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, I noticed a fundamental flaw in the way initial patient sessions and follow-ups were conducted. I was granted only half an hour with each patient who was referred to me. I had to ask myself - can nutritionists truly educate someone about the intricacies of diet and nuances of self-care in just 30 minutes?
Now, I am the Registered Dietitian, holistic nutrition coach and Founder of Whole Health with Meg, a private practice grounded in empathy and science to guide you toward gradual and sustainable lifestyle changes.
What To Expect When Working With Meg?
I take a whole health approach to eliminate confusion and overwhelm with diabetes care. I currently offer three levels of personalized nutrition programs.
Learn more about The Balanced Blood Sugar Protocol, Diabetes Fundamentals Group Coaching and Life Happens.
All of my programs are rooted in reducing inflammation that can show marked improvement not only in lab values but in energy, mood, sleep, eating patterns, weight, health risks and more.
Improving Diabetes
Below you will find my top 3 recommendations for anyone newly diagnosed. These also lay the foundation of all of my programs:
Build Awareness
Eat More Food
Understand Stress Management
Following these recommendations will put you on the right path to take control of your health so let’s dive into each one!
Build Awareness
Being handed a diagnosis such as prediabetes and type 2 diabetes can be beyond overwhelming. It can be a moment of feeling hopeless, lost and confused. It can be a moment of wondering “what do I do next?”
The first step is becoming aware.
When it comes to eating for diabetes care, it is vital to know the difference between hunger cues versus triggers. Hunger cues or physical sensations like a rumbling stomach or decreased energy, tell us it is time to nourish our bodies.
Triggers, on the other hand, such as having a bad day or feeling stressed can lead to unhealthy habits like overeating and choosing caloric dense foods.
By taking a step back to increase awareness around hunger cues and how we handle our triggers, we can begin the process of rewiring our brain and creating healthy habits.
Eat More Food
Oftentimes, we assume eating like a bird (tiny amounts) is necessary to achieve optimal health. However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth! I want you to think of filling at least half your plate with fiber rich foods (think plants!).
Here are a few ideas to spark inspiration:
Adding steamed asparagus with lemon or broccoli sauteed with garlic to dinner
Slicing colorful bell peppers and avocado to add to your lunchtime sandwich
Enjoying heart healthy fats like walnuts and pumpkin seeds for a snack
You will not only feel more satisfied at meals, but your body will thank you for the anti-inflammatory foods.
Understand Stress Management
We encounter small stressors on a daily basis, whether it be traffic jams, running late to appointments, or overbooking ourselves. These daily stressors, if unmanaged over time, can potentially lead to chronic health conditions, including elevated hormone and blood sugar levels.
I encourage you to find effective ways to handle stressful moments. One method that works great is breathing. Simply inhaling and exhaling will reduce stress.
Try this: sit upright in a chair, feet on the floor, and breathe in through your nose for 5 seconds - hold for 5 seconds - and exhale out through your mouth for 5 seconds. Repeat this at least 4 times.
Are You Ready?
There is no secret that nutrition plays a vital role in diabetes care and having support and accountability will guide you toward reaching your goals.
I encourage you to follow the recommendations above and seek out a diabetes dietitian.
If you are ready to determine the best plan of action for you, schedule your free Clarity Call today!
We can make a great team to reduce inflammation and improve your blood sugar levels. You are in charge of your destiny.
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