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Happy Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day!

These treasured food and nutrition experts translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthier living.

Some of my favorite people are RD/RDNs. I’ve been blessed to teach with many inspiring, kind, knowledgeable, and dynamic dietitians over a span of more than 20 years. RDN’s are trailblazers and advocates for improving the health of our communities through nutrition and are passionate about sharing their breadth of knowledge with their diabetes community and colleagues alike.

People with diabetes who meet with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) can expect an A1C drop of 0.3% to 2.0%.

We are honored to highlight the significant impact RDNs have on individuals, communities, and society as a whole by promoting healthy eating habits, preventing disease, and improving our overall quality of life by encouraging us to eat a rainbow of foods filled with fiber and phytonutrients.

To celebrate Registered Dietitian Day, we are highlighting a leader in the field and the newest member of our DiabetesEd Team, Christine Craig.


Christine Craig, MS, RD, CDCES – Nutrition Content Expert and Contributor

We are excited to welcome our newest faculty member! Christine is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and a consultant dietitian. It is important to her that each person living with diabetes feels supported and empowered not only with information but an individualized approach for lifelong health. Winner of the 2023 Impact on Diabetes Award, she is a leader in the field of nutrition, technology, and diabetes care. She has served as a preceptor, lecturer, researcher, and is an active association board member. She has worked across health systems; within Diabetes Care Centers, Endocrinology clinics, Primary Care, Telemedicine Rural Health, and Virtual-First Primary Care. Currently she is owner of Nutrition for Daily Living, where it is her mission to increase access to compassionate and evidenced-based nutrition and diabetes care.

As an adventurer, travel, hiking and snow skiing are her favorite past-times. For Christine, having a moment to take in the landscape and beauty around us can re-energize and fuel a busy life.

Christine Craig, MS, RD, CDCES

Featured Articles by Christine 

Bridge Scholarships Now Open for

DiabetesEd Training Program

Applications Due July 20th, 2026

Are you a healthcare professional providing diabetes care in an under-resourced community? Are you working toward earning your certification in diabetes education (CDCES or BC-ADM?)

If yes, please consider applying for our Bridge Scholarship, which covers the registration cost for the DiabetesEd Training Conference in San Diego, Oct 22-23, 2026 (value of $559). This program will provide you with the content needed to prepare for mastery-level diabetes certification and beyond!

Recipients will be awarded the Training Conference reg fee, including the live program, printed syllabus, 30+ CE’s, plus access to the online bonus courses for one year! Applications Due on July 20th, 2026

Scholarship Goals

  1. To recognize U.S. healthcare professionals who are making a difference in under-resourced communities; and
  2. To support applicants’ efforts to become a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, CDCES, and
  3. To provide financial assistance for the DiabetesEd Specialist Course registration fee.

What's Included?

  • Health care professionals who are working toward their CDCES and who provide care to an underserved community that lacks access to Diabetes Specialists and healthcare resources
  • Applicants must be in the process of gaining practice hours to take the CDCES Exam within next 3 years.
  • Preference is given to those facing financial hardships that are interfering with their ability to pursue their dream of achieving their CDCES.
  • All applicants must be a U.S. resident.

Join us live in San Diego for our

DiabetesEd Training Program

Brand new agenda for 2026!

🌟Updated Schedule: ADA Boot Camp, Tech, MNT & More

Live in Beautiful San Diego – Oct 22-23, 2026

Re-Ignite your Passion & Prepare for Diabetes Certification Exams

🎓 Earn 30+ CEs: AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, ACPE, ANCC, and CDR!

📅

2-Day Conference

Oct 22–23, 2026

⏱️

15.5 Live CEs

+ 17 bonus CEs

🏅

CDCES & BC-ADM

Exam Prep + Renewal

📍

San Diego, CA

1.7 mi from airport

Advance Your Expertise and Prepare for Your Future

The field of diabetes care is expanding and evolving rapidly. This unique training conference will keep you on the cutting edge plus prepare you for certification exams. It also fulfills the Standards of Care renewal requirement. Join us for two days of intensive education that is fun and inspiring. Add on the optional Day 3 (Engaging the Disengaged), to complete your conference exeperience.

Day 1 – ADA/AACE Standards of Care Boot Camp

Coach Beverly and Diana Isaacs, PharmD, BC-ADM, CDCES co-lead an exciting day that brings the ADA and AACE Standards to life. Gain fresh insights, practical tools, and a deeper understanding of the latest in person-centered diabetes care. After attending, you will be empowered to share the latest in diabetes care with your colleagues and the people in your care.

Day 2 – Insulin, Tech, MNT and Case Studies

Take your knowledge to the next level with this intensive deep-dive into insulin therapy, dosing and pattern management with Dr. Diana Isaacs. Next, stay for the diabetes tech show-and-tell as Diana demonstrates the specs of the latest pumps and sensors. After lunch, nutrition whiz Christine Craig, MS, RDN, CDCES expertly details the latest in MNT and provides real strategies on translating this content to your clinical practice. You will have a chance to put it all together as Coach Beverly leads you through a series of case studies that integrates content from Day 1 and Day 2.

Add-On Day 3 – Engaging the Disengaged

On Saturday, join this exceptional day-long program led by William H. Polonsky, PhD, CDCES & Susan Guzman, PhD (Behavioral Diabetes Institute) that reveals psychosocial forces behind diabetes self-management — tools to break through resistance and inspire change.

Read more below

🌟Registration Options at a Glance

📜 Essentials

Registration
+ Printed Syllabus

$559.00

🌟 Deluxe

Essentials
+ ADA Standards Book

$589.00

🏆 Complete – Best Value!

Deluxe
+ ADCES Review Guide e-Book

$669.00

5 Reasons to Attend

  1. Led by national experts 👩‍⚕️Dr. Diana Isaacs (Cleveland Clinic), Coach Beverly 🧢 (30+ years of experience), and Christine Craig (nutrition whiz).
  2. 🌴 Location makes for a great vacation
  3. Networking, walking paths, connection
  4. Ready yourself for the diabetes future🚀
  5. Have fun, win prizes, play DiaBingo 😄

What's Included?

  • 🍽️ Healthy breakfasts, lunch, refreshments and coffee ☕
  • 📘 100-page printed syllabus
  • 🎤 2 days of engaging, expert-led education with case studies.
  • 🎓 12 FREE online courses ($375 value)
  • Free MedPocketCard & Coach Bev’s Book 📗 Healing through Connection.

Add on a 3rd Day!
Enroll in ENGAGING THE DISENGAGED
Strategies for Promoting Behavior Change in Diabetes
October 24, 2026

Transform how you engage patients with diabetes — master behavior change, reduce distress, and overcome medication hesitancy.

Why do so many patients know what they should do — but still struggle to do it?

The answer lies in the psychology of diabetes.

In this transformative full-day course, world-renowned experts William H. Polonsky, PhD, CDCES, and Susan Guzman, PhD, from the Behavioral Diabetes Institute reveal the hidden psychosocial forces that drive — or derail — diabetes self-management.

You’ll walk away with a completely new toolkit for breaking through patient resistance, dissolving medication hesitancy, and creating clinical encounters that actually inspire change!

Can Understanding Chronotype Help with Glucose Regulation?

MR is frustrated that their morning glucose is almost always elevated. Since you have heard about the impact of “chronotype” on glucose, you ask them about eating patterns and explore whether they are early birds or night owls.

The 2024 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Care introduced the field of chrononutrition, the science of how our body’s 24-hour cycle (circadian rhythm), nutrition, and health interact. Growing evidence shows that factors, including when and type of food is eaten, hormones, genetics, exercise, sleep cycles, and a person’s daily light exposure, influence health and risk for metabolic disease.

A person’s chronotype is their body’s inclination to sleep at a particular time and rise at a certain time.

When we consider a person’s chronotype, we realize that it’s not just “what” individuals eat that impacts metabolic health. Could “when” they eat and their chronotype be just as crucial for glucose regulation? Can we leverage this information to suggest modifications in the type of nutrients consumed throughout the day to support improved glycemia?

 

Insights from Shift work

We have learned the association between circadian rhythm disruptions and metabolic disorders from people who perform shift work. Working in shift work and having type 2 diabetes is associated with increased A1c, neuropathy, and decreased psychological well-being.1 Glucose metabolism and tolerance follow a circadian rhythm throughout the day. Hormones, such as insulin and cortisol, cycle daily and regulate insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism changes. Research suggests when food intake is out of sync with the daily cycle, this can reduce glucose tolerance and increase the risk of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

“Meal timing and food nutrient components (chrononutrition) play an important role in regulating the circadian clock, enhancing metabolic health, and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.” 2

 

Time of Meal and Glucose Response

Post-prandial glucose response is affected by what and how much we eat and can vary based on the time of day the meal is consumed. Meal timing can affect type 2 diabetes, so it is important to consider timing in addition to composition alone. In a 2020 review article by Henry et al., they reported several different studies completed in individuals with type 2 diabetes and healthy subjects. These studies suggested both morning and late-night eating can contribute to the greatest glucose excursions. Eating after 8 pm was independently associated with an increase in A1C levels. Consuming more than a third of daily calories late in the evening led to higher post-meal glucose excursions and reduced morning glucose tolerance compared to other times of day. And a study of individuals with type 2 diabetes showed higher post-meal glucose trends after morning meals verses identical meals consumed throughout the day. These small studies suggest that modifying when a meal is consumed could reduce glycemia and the risk of diabetes. However, more extensive studies are needed to support causation and associate it with a person’s genetics and true chronotype. 

Macronutrient meal composition

Macronutrient meal composition and the time of day consumed may also play a role in chrononutrition. Whether it is a variation of calories consumed or manipulating different macronutrients from meal to meal, the relationship between food type and timing could affect glucose metabolism. Changes in insulin sensitivity throughout the day can affect post-meal glucose in response to varying carbohydrate quantity, quality, and rate of digestion. Davis et. Al, 2019 found that increased protein and lower carbohydrates at dinner meals reduce night post-prandial glucose compared to standard meals. 

The key nutrition recommendations from the 2024 ADA Standards of Care are focused on individualizing eating patterns, meal plans, and dietary approaches. Research continues to evolve in this field, and there is much more to understand and validate. Most of the articles regarding chrononutrition referenced in the ADA Standards of Care are specific for type 2 diabetes, but we know circadian cycles and metabolism also play a role in type 1 diabetes. More research is needed to improve our understanding of why nutrients consumed at different times of day have differing effects, how this relates to the individual’s circadian biomarkers and genetics, and how it interplays with psychological factors that drive sleep cycles.

Take home messages

 

There is much to learn, but are there practical approaches we could consider implementing now? Yes! We can start by:

  • Individualizing our recommendations, reviewing meal timing and composition with individuals with diabetes.
  • Encourage clients to experiment with modifying macronutrient distribution at different times of the day instead of using a “each meal looking the same” approach.
  • Continue to stay abreast of new evidence that highlights research findings in this area.

Blog contributed by nutrition expert Christine Craig, MS, RDN, CDCES

References:

  1. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee; 5. Facilitating Positive Health Behaviors and Well-being to Improve Health Outcomes: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2024Diabetes Care 1 January 2024; 47 (Supplement_1): S77–S110. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc24-S005
  2. Henry, C.J., Kaur, B. & Quek, R.Y.C. Chrononutrition in the management of diabetes. Nutr. Diabetes 10, 6 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41387-020-0109-6
  3. Chrononutrition: Timing of meals matters for your health. Downloaded on January 13th, 2024 from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2023/chrononutrition-timing-meals-matters-your-health.
  4. Davis R, Bonham M, Nugo K, Huggins C. Glycaemic response at night is improved after eating a high protein meal compared with a standard meal: A cross-over study. Clinical Nutrition. 35, 5 (2019) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2019.06.014

Want to learn more about the latest in MNT and Diabetes Care?

Join us for our upcoming 2024 Boot Camp Series

Airs live February 13th – March 19th, 2024, at 11:30 am PT

Class Topics & Webinar Dates:

  • February 13, 2024 – Boot Camp 1: Diabetes | Not Just Hyperglycemia | 1.75 CEs 
  • February 15, 2024 – Boot Camp 2: Standards of Care & Cardiovascular Goals | 1.8 CEs
  • February 20, 2024 – Boot Camp 3: Meds for Type 2 | What you need to know | 1.75 CEs 
  • February 22, 2024 – Boot Camp 4: Insulin Therapy | Basal/Bolus to Pattern Management | 1.75 CEs
  • February 27, 2024 – Boot Camp 5: Insulin Intensive & Risk Reduction | 1.75 CEs 
  • February 29, 2024 – Boot Camp 6: Medical Nutrition Therapy | 1.75 CEs 
  • March 12, 2024 – Boot Camp 7: Microvascular Complications & Exercise | 1.75 CEs
  • March 14, 2024 – Boot Camp 8: Coping & Behavior Change | 1.75 CEs 
  • March 19, 2024 – Boot Camp 9: Test-Taking Coach Session (48 Questions) | No CE 

Intended Audience: This library of critical information is designed for individuals or groups of diabetes specialists, including RNs, RDs, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Physician Assistants, and other health care providers interested in staying up to date on current practices of care for people with diabetes and preparing for the BC-ADM or the CDCES certification Exam.

Can’t make it live? No worries. We will send post the recorded version to the Online University within 24 hours of the broadcast

Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, has been Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management for over 20 years. She is an Associate Clinical Professor at UCSF, a working educator, and a nationally recognized diabetes expert. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Health from UCLA, with a focus on behavioral health and education.

Click Here to Register

Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and our CPEU courses have received Prior Approval* from the Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since our CPEU courses received Prior approval* from the CDR, these CPEU courses satisfy the CE requirements for the CDCES /BC-ADM regardless of your profession! 

The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the certification exam. CBDCE and ADCES do not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES or BC-ADM exams, except for those published by CBDCE & ADCES.


Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

 

How Much insulin to Cover for Allulose? The Answer might Surprise you.

JR lives with type 1 diabetes and is excited to eat a stack of blueberry pancakes with a new type of maple syrup sweetened with allulose. The syrup label reads that there are 28 grams of carbs in 2 Tablespoons of Zero Sugar Maple syrup. JR adds up the total carbs in the pancakes and syrup, and takes 6 units of bolus insulin (4 for the pancakes and 2 units for the syrup). Within a half hour, JR realizes their blood sugar is dropping fast and grabs some glucose tabs to treat the sudden low. Trying to figure out what went wrong, JR double confirms the nutrition in the pancakes and then takes a closer look at the Maple Syrup label.

Is the Maple Syrup to blame for the Unexpected Low Blood Sugar?

Looking at the label, JR confirms that there are 28 gm of carbs per serving of this unique maple syrup and 26 of those carb grams come from Allulose. Allulose is a low-calorie sugar that is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) approved by the FDA in 2022. Allulose is considered a rare sugar found naturally in figs, raisins, wheat, maple syrup, and molasses or it can be commercially produced and added to foods. It’s roughly 70% as sweet as sugar and it tastes very similar. Allulose is hardly digested or absorbed, so it provides very few calories – approximately 0.4 calories per gram, compared with 4 calories per gram in table sugar.

Because very little of ingested allulose is absorbed, the impact on post-meal glucose levels is negligible.

 

Allulose labeling Can Cause Confusion for People Matching Insulin to Carbs

In 2019, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued guidance, allowing food manufacturers to exclude allulose from total and added sugar counts on Nutrition and Supplement Facts labels. Like sugar alcohols and dietary fiber, allulose still counts towards total carbohydrates on the nutrition label.

The fact that allulose hardly raises blood sugar may lead people who match insulin to carbs to take more insulin than needed.  

FDA Labeling Rule for allulose:

• Not included in “Total Sugars” or ”Added Sugars”

• Included in Total Carbohydrates

• Calories calculated with 0.4 kcals/gram

• Must be in the ingredient list

Take home message for People Counting Carbs for Accurate Insulin Dosing

Look on labels to see if allulose is listed under carbohydrates or included in the ingredient list. If it is, subtract allulose carbs from the total carbs to get an accurate carbohydrate measurement.

For other people, allulose may be a sweet-tasting alternative to sugar that provides few calories and doesn’t raise blood sugar.

Fruit and Vegetable Prescriptions Improve Health

In a recent study published in Circulation, large, multisite produce prescription programs were associated with significant improvements in fruit and vegetable intake, food security, and health status for adults and children. At the conclusion of the food prescription program, participants experienced clinically relevant improvements in A1C, blood pressure, and body weight.

However, for this food-is-medicine strategy to work, it’s clear that the people will need long-term support.

The idea of food as medicine dates back to the ancient Greek doctor Hippocrates, and this new study adds to the evidence that a diet full of fruits and vegetables can help improve heart health.

Researchers evaluated the impact of “produce prescriptions,” which provide free fruits and vegetables to people with diet-related diseases including diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. The study included nearly 4,000 people in 12 states who struggle to afford healthy food. They received vouchers, averaging $63 a month, for up to 10 months, which could be redeemed for produce at retail stores or farmers markets, depending on the location.

Many people with diabetes struggle not only with food insecurity but also with nutrition insecurity. Improving nutrition security is about providing the right food to prevent or decrease the prevalence of chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

By providing adults with hypertension with access to healthy fruits and vegetables using a prescription program, this study demonstrated a systolic blood pressure decrease of 8 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure decrease of about 5 mm Hg. In addition, among people with diabetes, A1C levels also declined significantly, by about 0.6 percent.

“Anything that lowers hemoglobin A1C and improves blood pressure control is beneficial,” says Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition at Tufts University, where the research was conducted. The challenge is to maintain these reductions. 

The research clearly indicates that food prescription programs are an effective strategy to improve health outcomes, but long-term funding for these programs is difficult to secure.

More research is needed to establish which individuals and communities will most benefit from which food assistance programs. Options include medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and community-based programs. The ultimate goal is to get to a place where these programs cover long-term benefits for people who need them most.

Resources and Related Articles

Wholesome Wave – partnering with community organizations to provide the right food to people at risk.

White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health

7 Ideas to Eat Healthier in the U.S.

Medically Prescribed Meals


Want to learn more about how nutrition can support people living with diabetes?

Join us LIVE in San Diego for our DiabetesEd Training Conference with Ashley LaBrier MS, RD, CDCES as she reviews MNT & Meal Planning


Two Registration Options

Join Coach Beverly and Team for two and a half days of knowledge-sharing, fun, networking, games with prizes, and “aha” moments in beautiful San Diego. 

You don’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind learning opportunity. Get away from all those daily responsibilities and immerse yourself in a fun and intensive conference with plenty of networking opportunities.    

Attendees will leave this conference with new tools and a more complete understanding of the latest advances in diabetes care, from medications to technology to Medical Nutrition Therapy! 

Bring your colleagues and enjoy our friend discount.

Our team expertly translates the complex science of diabetes into understandable terms while keeping it real, practical, and fun. 

Team of expert faculty includes:

  • Diana Isaacs, PharmD, BCPS, BC-ADM, BCACP, CDCES – Educator of the Year, 2020
  • Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
  • Ashley LaBrier, MS, RD, CDCES, Diabetes Program Coordinator 

All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information


Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

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The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.

Does Food Order Affect Post-Meal Blood Sugar?

Several studies over the last decade support that post-meal blood sugars can be improved by changing the order of the foods eaten. By starting with vegetables and protein foods, then moving to carbohydrates, participants across studies experienced a significant improvement in postprandial blood glucose levels. This simple adjustment of food order provides people living with diabetes with an easy tool to reach glucose targets.

In a 2015 study published in Diabetes Care, a dozen subjects were fed the same meal of grilled chicken, ciabatta bread, orange juice, lettuce, and tomato salad plus steamed broccoli with butter on two different days. The researchers measured glucose and insulin levels before food ingestion and 30, 60, and 120 min after the start of the meal.

When vegetables and protein were consumed first, before carbohydrates, compared with the reverse food order, there was a 28.6% decrease in average post-meal glucose. The authors concluded that “the temporal sequence of carbohydrate ingestion during a meal has a significant impact on postprandial glucose and insulin excursions”.

The simple action of eating veggies and protein leads to improvement in glycemia through optimal timing of carbohydrate consumption during a meal.

In a different study where researchers recruited 15 participants from Weill Cornell Medical College. Participants consumed the same meal for 3 days changing the three separate food-type orders: carbohydrate, protein, and vegetables.

As with the previous study, researchers found that “although all baseline fasting glucose concentrations were similar, glucose levels were decreased at 30 and 60 minutes after the protein and vegetable first order.”

In addition, the vegetable first meal order resulted in lower glucose levels at 30 and 60 minutes than the carbohydrate first meal order. Researchers found that the vegetable first meal pattern reduced insulin excursions and that incremental AUC for insulin was 43.8% lower than for the carbohydrate first meal order.

Researchers say the reason for improved glucose is complicated, but is probably due to a combination of factors. Eating protein and veggies first may stimulate the early release of GLP-1 hormones and consuming fiber-rich vegetables can slow down carbohydrate digestion.

Fiber Foods – the Unsung Heroes

The benefits of fiber have been supported by over 100 years of research. Studies reveal that eating more fiber can lower your risk of developing serious illness over time. 

“When compared with those who consume very little fiber, people at the high end of the fiber-eating spectrum saw their risk for dying from heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and/or colon cancer plummet by 16 to 24 percent, investigators reported.”

Exciting enough, the more fiber a person consumed, the risk of developing those illnesses continued to decrease. The range of illnesses that a higher intake of fiber seemed to impact surprised scientists. 

Researchers say that American’s on average, eat less than 15 grams of fiber per day. However, increasing intake to 25-29 gms per day is just “adequate.” The more fiber a person incorporates in their diet, the greater the decrease in the overall risk of early death.

Every additional 15-gram bump in daily whole grain intake was found to curtail an individual’s overall risk of early death — as well as their risk of early death from heart disease — by between 2 and 19 percent.

Researchers also found that increasing fiber intake had no risky health effects and that it is never too late to start embracing fiber every day!  

“When considering all the trials of increasing fiber intakes, those participants that did reduce both their body weight and the total cholesterol in their blood, two important predictors of disease.”

Although none of these discoveries are surprising, scientists hope this will lead to changes in dietary recommendations. “This is just one more piece of evidence that supports and further solidifies the recommendations registered dietitian nutritionists have been making for years,” said Sandon.

It is never too late to start eating healthy and fiber may be a great starting point for many! 

Here are some common foods and their fiber content:

  • 1 slice of whole wheat bread has 2 grams 
  • 1 cup of boiled broccoli has 5 grams
  • 1 medium orange has 3 grams
  • 1 cup of cooked black beans has 15 grams.

Please see our Plant-Based Eating Resource Page for more info!


Register now for our Virtual DiabetesEd Training Conference

Your team is invited to our Virtual DiabetesEd™ Training Conference! Set your team apart and prepare for diabetes certification!

Join this state-of-the-art conference taught by content experts, Diana Isaacs, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, BC-ADM, CDCES, Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM, and Ashley LaBrier who are passionate about improving diabetes care.

Group discounts are available!*

All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information


Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

Sign up for DiabetesEd Blog Bytes

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The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.

Ramadan & Fasting Considerations for People Living with Diabetes

Ramadan Mubarak… Happy Ramadan.

This evening, Ramadan begins. It is the most important spiritual time for the 1.8 billion Muslims around the world.

‘Have a generous Ramadan”

In Islam, Ramadan is the month in which the first verses of the Quran, were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. In observance, many Muslims fast by abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and sex, from pre-sunrise to sunset. This fasting achieves greater “taqwa” or “consciousness to God.”

As Diabetes Care and Education specialists, we have the chance to provide tools for those who fast while keeping diabetes in mind.

The Association for Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES) put together some helpful handouts to better support people who are fasting and living with diabetes.

Below is the list of resources shared by ADCES

To read more about Ramadan, click here.

To take our Question of the Week that considers Type 1 and fasting during Ramadan.


 

How to Start a Community Fridge

Last month, we launched our very first Community Fridge in our local area!

A few months ago, a group of us got together with the goal of helping to bridge the gaps that lead to food insecurity in our community.

While there are several food banks in our town, there weren’t a lot of options for whole, fresh produce or dairy – focusing on shelf-stable dry goods or meats. We knew other cities had created community fridges and wanted to see if we could offer something similar.

The first step was to find a location; we knew we wanted it to be accessible, but also in an area that could prevent vandalism. We reached out to our local LGBTQ+ center and asked if they had space for a fridge and would be willing to host. After a few conversations, we secured our location.

The second step was to find a fridge. We looked around on Craigslist and found one for free. We got a group of volunteers together to pick up the fridge and drop it off at the LGBTQ+ center.

Lastly, now that we had a fridge and a location, we needed to get the word out. We set up an Instagram and Facebook account, made some flyers, and started sharing posts with our followers.

To ensure there is a rotation of donors throughout the week and that the fridge is cleaned regularly, we created a Calendly to establish a schedule.

During our research, we noticed that other community fridges had best practices and guidelines, such as only donating food you would eat yourself, washing your hands before donating/picking up, and tips for cleaning the fridge. We typed up our own set of guidelines to put on the fridge along with a whiteboard for suggestions/requests for specific foods.

The LGBTQ+ center already has a monthly food bank event, which we decided was the perfect opportunity to introduce the fridge to those who already use the food bank.

The morning of the food bank event, we got together early and made a run to the grocery store. We knew we wanted a variety of fruits, veggies, and dairy, focusing more on items that have a longer shelf life. We decided to also pick up frozen veggies such as spinach, broccoli, and corn, in case someone had access to a freezer and wanted foods that would last a little longer.

We made our way to the LGBTQ+ center and started stocking the fridge. As we were adding in items, person after person came by to pick up food, sharing their ideas for what recipes they were going to make. It was such a joy to hear their inspiration for which produce or dairy matched the meat and dry goods they already got from the food bank.

We are so excited to have this resource available to our community and are looking forward to more people using it.

Written by Bryanna, our Director of Operations & Customer Happiness


FREE Resource Catalog

See Full Free Resource Catalog

National Nutrition Month – Tasty Ways to Keep it Sustainable

The Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition is kicking off National Nutrition Month with a new slogan, “Fuel for the Future”.

They are shining a light on considering food consumption through a lens of sustainability. What are some tasty ways to nourish ourselves during every phase of life and protect the environment?

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are experts in addressing this question. But how can all diabetes care and education specialist help support healthy habits that are sustainable and celebrate the individual’s unique needs?

Strategies to eat with the environment in mind

Plant-Based Meals and Snacks

A great way to get started is to help people learn how to enjoy more plant-based meals and snacks and decrease meat intake. Both the American Diabetes Association and the American Academy of Endocrinologists highly recommend plant-based nutrition for people with diabetes. Not only are plant-based foods packed full of nutrients, protein, and fiber, they generally confer fewer calories and decrease inflammation. Another added bonus is that they have less impact on planetary health and are more sustainable.

Plant-based eating resources including recipes below. Feel free to copy and share!

Sustainable Eating and Decreasing Food Waste

About one-third of all food is tossed into the trash, filling up landfills and increasing methane gas release. Some strategies to decrease waste include finding creative ways to use leftovers rather than tossing them and composting uneaten foods. Encouraging people to buy foods in season and shop locally when possible can make a big impact on the environment while reducing food costs. Another idea is to start a container or backyard garden to grow food at home.

Resources on decreasing food waste and increasing sustainable eating:

To stretch dollars, use a grocery list and shop sales when purchasing food. See what foods are at home before purchasing more.

How many times have you returned from shopping, only to discover you already had that bag of carrots tucked away in the back of the refrigerator? But by taking an inventory of what we have and creating a list of what is needed, we can all reduce waste. When shopping, encourage people to start with the outside isles, which generally display healthier foods while avoiding the center and display isles. Incorporating favorite cultural foods into the shopping list and eating foods in various forms including fresh, frozen, canned, and dried, can add to the variety and affordability.

Practice gratitude for your body by giving it the fuel it needs.

Choosing foods that nourish our body and expressing gratitude for the labor and work that went into harvesting and preparing our food, can improve our relationship with food. Making meals at home, by ourselves or with people we live with, can create connections and joy. By learning cooking and meal preparation skills, people have the opportunity to try new foods and enjoy flavors from around the world. Taking time to enjoy our food by mindfully eating and creating long lasting memories with friends and family is a great place to get started on this journey to tasty and sustainable eating.

Happy Nutrition Month everyone and thank you for considering these small changes, which when added up, make a big difference.

Visit the CDR Website for more great ideas and to access a bounty of free resources.


Want to learn more about Medical Nutrition Therapy?

You are invited to join our Virtual Conference with our Nutrition expert speaker, Ashley LaBrier, MS, RD, CDCES, who will be providing a half-day presentation on this important topic!

Ms. Ashley Labrier, MS, RD, CDCES

Ashley LaBrier, MS, RD, CDES, is an innovator in the field of diabetes, nutrition, and technology. Ashley is a consultant and the Diabetes Education Program Coordinator at the Salinas Valley Medical Clinic’s Diabetes & Endocrine Center. 

Ms. LaBrier is passionate about providing person-centered education to empower those who live with diabetes. Having been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes herself nearly 20 years ago, she combines her professional knowledge with personal experience and understanding. 


Virtual DiabetesEd Training Conference

Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.

If you are seeking a state-of-the-art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. This program can also be a great addition to your CDCES or BC-ADM exam study plan.

Group discounts are available!*

Download Course Flyer | Download Schedule

All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information


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The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.