We are pleased you have decided to join the Foodsmart Diabetes Program. Our program focuses on helping you make sustainable lifestyle changes with the help of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). There are no gimmicks or special rules. Your individual and personalized meetings with your RDN will help you make the changes you need to make to meet your health goals by helping you improve your eating habits, health behaviors, and confidence to maintain all of the changes you make.
Reducing your A1C and managing your blood sugar takes time and effort; this is why our unique program takes three months to complete. Over this time, you will discover what works for you, and you will get assistance in setting and tracking goals that you can meet.
Many of our participants report that one of the greatest benefits of getting to meet with their dietitian so often is that it helps them stay accountable. Depending on your A1C or blood sugar goal, you can expect to see a reduction of A1C by 0.5% within 3 months during our program. We also teach you strategies for maintaining your A1C levels, exercise, stress management, meal planning for diabetes, and so much more.
Again, congratulations on your decision to join our program! We look forward to working with you!
Visit 1 Topic: Introduction to Diabetes, Understanding Sugar & Sugar Sweeteners and Filling up on Protein
Describe what diabetes is, what causes diabetes, and an overview of the program curriculum designed to reduce A1C.
Introduce the Diabetes Plate Method.
Metrics: all recent labs (A1C must be included), symptoms (neuropathy, frequent urination, frequent thirst, fatigue), and weight. A1C to be checked every 3 months (at the end of 12 weeks if seeing the patient weekly, 6 weeks if seeing the patient bi-weekly). Encourage monitoring of blood sugars if able (pre & post meals).
Topic: All About Carbs
Discuss how carbohydrates impact blood sugar, discuss the difference between simple and complex, and describe what a “net” carb is.
Metrics: Weight, Blood sugars, Symptoms
Topic: Understanding Sugar & Sugar Sweeteners
Understand how sugar and sugar sweeteners impact blood sugar, and which ones are best to use as alternatives.
Metrics: Weight, Blood sugars, Symptoms
Topic: Fill Up On Protein
Discuss how protein helps with satiety, improves blood sugar levels, and how to incorporate plant-based protein.
Metrics: Weight, Blood sugars, Symptoms
Visit 2: Topic: Facts About Fats, Filling up on Fiber & Veggies, The Overnight Fast, Stress Management & Blood Sugar
Discuss how fats can impact blood sugar and which fats can improve blood sugar balance.
Metrics: Weight, Blood sugars, Symptoms
Topic: Fill Up On Fiber & Veggies
Discuss why non-starchy veggies, and fiber in general, can play a role in balancing blood sugar, improving the gut microbiome, and energy levels.
Metrics: Weight, Blood sugars, Symptoms, A1C if doing bi-weekly appointments
Topic: The Overnight Fast
Discuss the importance of eating less in the evening and more in the day to help reset blood sugar and improve morning blood glucose numbers.
Metrics: Weight, Blood sugars, Symptoms
Topic: Stress Management & Blood Sugar
Visit 3: Topic: Movement & Exercise, Additional Nutrients to consider & Putting it all together
Discuss how moving helps utilize excess blood sugar and improves insulin’s job of opening the cell walls to let sugar in.
Metrics: Weight, Blood sugars, Symptoms
Topic: Meal Planning for Diabetes
Discuss how consistent meal planning can help improve diabetes outcomes.
Metrics: Weight, Blood sugars, Symptoms
Additional nutrients to consider.
Topic: Discuss the potential benefits of vitamin C, zinc, ALA, omega-3 fats, berberine, and chromium to help manage blood sugars
Discuss how moving helps utilize excess blood sugar and improves insulin’s job of opening the cell walls to let sugar in.
Metrics: Weight, Blood sugars, Symptoms
Topic: Graduation: Putting It All Together!
Topic: Help the client create a success roadmap to keep them going on their goals!
Metrics: A1C, Blood Sugars, Weight, Symptoms
What happens next?
Graduate from the program and continue with bi-monthly appointments to continue with accountability
Enroll in another program to help with further goals (weight management, eating on a budget, etc).