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The Role of the DCES in Type 1 Diabetes Screening and Early Detection
What if type 1 diabetes could be identified before symptoms appear? As screening and staging for type 1 diabetes continue to advance, healthcare professionals have new opportunities to identify individuals at risk earlier than ever before. Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (DCESs) are uniquely positioned to help lead this effort through screening education, risk identification, emotional support, and care coordination. Learn how the role of the DCES is evolving and why early detection is changing the future of type 1 diabetes care.
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The End of Prediabetes? Understanding the Proposed Stages of Type 2 Diabetes
For decades, the term prediabetes has been used to describe blood glucose levels that are elevated above normal, but not yet high enough to meet the criteria for type 2 diabetes. However, a growing group of international diabetes experts is now questioning whether the term itself may contribute to clinical inertia and delayed treatment. In a recent commentary published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, diabetes researchers proposed replacing the term prediabetes with a formal three-stage classification system. The goal is to better reflect the progressive nature of diabetes and encourage earlier intervention to reduce long-term complications. So what could…
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How to Create a Diabetes-Friendly Workplace: Practical Strategies for Employers
Creating healthier workplaces requires more than wellness slogans or occasional lunch-and-learn sessions. For employees living with diabetes, prediabetes, obesity, and other cardiometabolic conditions, the structure and culture of the workplace can directly influence safety, productivity, and long-term health outcomes. I recently had the opportunity to speak at the Colorado Food@Work Collaborative on the topic of diabetes friendly workplaces. The discussion focused on how employers, healthcare organizations, and wellness leaders can move beyond traditional wellness initiatives and create environments that better support real-world diabetes management. Many employees already know what they “should” be doing. The challenge is whether their work environment…
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Oral Wegovy vs Foundayo: Which Works Better for Weight Loss?
If it feels like the list of weight loss medications keeps growing, you are not alone. Even as a dietitian and diabetes care and education specialist, I still find myself reaching for a cheat sheet to keep track of brand names, dosing schedules, oral versus injectable options, and which medications are approved for obesity, diabetes, or both. And the field is only becoming more crowded. With hundreds of obesity and diabetes medications currently in development, the landscape of obesity treatment is evolving rapidly. More recently, I have been getting a lot of questions about the difference between oral Wegovy (semaglutide)…
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Coloradans in Action: Highlights from the Annual Nutrition Conference
Ever wonder what a group of registered dietitian nutritionists talk about when we get together? The answer might surprise you. We are far less focused on “eating clean” or following rigid diet rules than our title might suggest. Instead, we are busy running businesses, advancing public policy, and working to keep consumers safe. Read along as I recap some of the highlights and key takeaways from the Colorado Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference.
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Pill or Injection? Comparing Wegovy Options for Weight Loss
After huge anticipation, Wegovy’s oral tablet launched in the U.S. this January. By February, nearly 200,000 people were already using the pill. Health economists estimate it could add approximately $2.76 billion to overall Wegovy sales by 2030, with its share growing from about 3% in 2026 to 17% by 2031. At first glance, this momentum may suggest the pill is preferred over the once-weekly injection. However, that is not necessarily the case. Many individuals continue to prefer an injectable option, particularly when it better aligns with their routine or expectations. The choice between oral and injectable therapy is not straightforward.…
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Once-Weekly Insulin Is Here. What Does It Mean for Your Patients?
What has felt like years in the making has finally arrived: a once-weekly insulin. This long-acting (basal) insulin, designed to be injected just once per week, has the potential to simplify long-term insulin therapy in a meaningful way. At first glance, it may not seem like a major shift. But for individuals taking insulin, and for those supporting them, reducing the burden of daily injections can make a real difference in self-care routines, "adherence", and ultimately long-term health outcomes. So what does this mean for you and your patients? Who might be a good fit, and how should you counsel…
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Diabetes and Nutrition: Integrating CGM Into Personalized Meal Planning
It may be the last day of March, but it’s not too late to celebrate National Nutrition Month. Established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, this annual campaign encourages individuals and communities to make informed food choices and build sustainable eating habits. This year’s theme, “Discover the Power of Nutrition,” aligns closely with the direction of the American Diabetes Association 2026 Standards of Care. We’ll use one final opportunity to take a closer look at updates to nutrition guidance in the 2026 Standards of Care. This week, we’ll explore updates on the expanded role of CGM. As CGM and…
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Diabetes and Nutrition: Strengthening Safety During Religious Fasting
March is one of my favorite months. Along with several family birthdays, it is also National Nutrition Month. Established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, this annual campaign encourages individuals and communities to make informed food choices and build sustainable eating habits. This year’s theme, “Discover the Power of Nutrition,” aligns closely with the direction of the American Diabetes Association 2026 Standards of Care. To celebrate, each week this month I will take a closer look at updates to nutrition guidance in Section 5 of the 2026 Standards. This week, we will explore important updates related to safety and…
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Diabetes and Nutrition: Adequate Nourishment During Weight Loss
March is one of my favorite months. Along with several family birthdays, it is also National Nutrition Month. Established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, this annual campaign encourages individuals and communities to make informed food choices and build sustainable eating habits. This year’s theme, “Discover the Power of Nutrition,” aligns closely with the direction of the American Diabetes Association 2026 Standards of Care. To celebrate, each week this month I will take a closer look at updates to nutrition guidance in Section 5 of the 2026 Standards. This week, we will explore shifts in the language and…
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Diabetes and Nutrition: A Shift Toward Food Quality Over Quantity
March is one of my favorite months. Along with several family birthdays, it is also National Nutrition Month. Established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, this annual campaign encourages individuals and communities to make informed food choices and build sustainable eating habits. This year’s theme, “Discover the Power of Nutrition,” aligns closely with the direction of the American Diabetes Association 2026 Standards of Care. To celebrate, each week this month I will take a closer look at updates to nutrition guidance in the 2026 ADA Standards. This week, we will explore the continued shift away from rigid macronutrient targets…
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Diabetes and Nutrition: What’s New in the 2026 ADA Standards of Care
March is near and dear to my heart. Not only does it include several family birthdays, it’s also National Nutrition Month! Established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Nutrition Month encourages the public to learn more about making informed food choices and developing sustainable eating habits. This year’s theme, “Discover the Power of Nutrition,” highlights how nutrition has the power to help individuals and communities thrive. It also plays an important role in cardiometabolic health and chronic disease prevention. To celebrate the month, I’ll be taking a closer look at updated nutrition recommendations in the American…
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From Checklists to Practice: Reframing Behavior Change in Clinical Care
I recently read a quote from James Clear that felt timely. In summary, he writes that many meaningful parts of life cannot be finished. Work, exercise, parenting, marriage. The goal is not to be done, but to settle into a daily lifestyle you can sustain and make steady progress within. It made me reflect on how often our patients approach health with a finite mindset. They want the checklist. The meal plan. The workout. The medication adjustment. Something to complete so they can feel done. But health is not a project with an endpoint. There will always be another meal,…
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Three Takeaways From ADA Clinical Updates: Turning Standards Into Practice
If you work in diabetes care and education and are a member of the American Diabetes Association, you’ve likely received the nearly 400-page Standards of Care journal in your mailbox. What began as a three-page reference document in 1989 has grown into a comprehensive resource that now rivals a phonebook. The depth of guidance is incredibly valuable, but translating all of those standards into day-to-day clinical practice can feel a bit daunting. Enter the ADA Clinical Updates Conference, an important piece of the puzzle that focuses on moving evidence off the page and into real-world care. After spending the weekend…
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Diabetes and Menopause: What’s the Connection?
Menopause is having a moment. From increased discussion in books, Menopause is having a moment. From increased discussion in books, movies, and podcasts to growing funding for research, risk assessment, and treatment, this stage of life is finally receiving long-overdue attention. We are beginning to recognize that women have unique health needs during the menopausal transition. What is discussed less often is the increased risk of developing diabetes during this period and the implications this risk has for long-term health and quality of life. Menopause is associated with significant metabolic changes that can negatively affect insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation,…
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Dietary Guidelines vs. Diabetes Care: What Works, What Doesn’t
If you work in the nutrition, wellness, or public health space or honestly if you were just on the internet this week, you probably noticed the stir around the release of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The 2025–2030 update has arrived with no shortage of commentary, critique, endorsements, and of course, funny and creative memes. Love them or hate them, these guidelines are clearly fueling plenty of online chatter. But what does all of this actually mean for people living with diabetes? Are these new guidelines helpful or harmful? And how do they stack up against the nutrition guidance outlined…
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New Year, Evolving Needs: Diabetes Care Services for 2026
Diabetes care continues to evolve quickly, and by 2026 many clinicians and organizations are feeling the strain of doing more with fewer resources. Workforce shortages, rapid advances in medications and technology, and growing expectations for outcomes have changed what day-to-day diabetes care looks like. Over the past year, I have spent time listening closely to patients, clinicians, and care teams, and refining my services to better reflect these realities. My goal is to offer practical, evidence-based support that feels truly helpful in today’s care environment. My updated services are designed to support clinicians, strengthen programs, and expand access to high-quality,…
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The Articles You Read Most in 2025 (And Why I Wrote Them)
As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the writing that mattered most, both to me and to the people who read it. This year, a few articles clearly stood out, not just in page views and shares, but in the conversations they sparked and the messages I received afterward. These pieces addressed topics I felt strongly needed clarity, nuance, or a more evidence-based lens, especially where misinformation and oversimplification are common. They represent the kind of work I most enjoy creating: thoughtful, science-grounded, and practical content. If you missed any of these, this is a great place…
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Do You Need to Lose Weight to Prevent Diabetes? Maybe Not
Weight loss has long been considered the top recommendation for preventing type 2 diabetes. In fact, research shows that losing just 5–7% of body weight can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by nearly 60%. But what about the people who lose weight and still have elevated glucose levels? Or, those who make significant lifestyle changes, don’t lose weight, yet show improvements in their glucose status? Are they simply outliers, fortunate or unfortunate depending on how their metabolism responds? Emerging research suggests that diabetes prevention is more complex than simply losing weight. Read on to learn what scientists are discovering…
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Retatrutide and the Grey Market: Buyer Beware
This should go without saying, but the internet can be both an incredible resource and an extremely dangerous place for health and wellness information. At a time when obesity rates are soaring, mental and emotional stress are at an all-time high, and access to reputable healthcare can feel nearly impossible, many people are turning online in search of solutions. Unfortunately, that desperation leaves individuals vulnerable to the predatory promises of the wellness industry. The latest example is the buzz around retatrutide; or “Reta,” as it’s trending on TikTok. Like candy offered from the back of a van, it’s tempting, accessible,…
