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Is Allulose the Next Big Sweetener?
Allulose is gaining attention as a sugar alternative for people looking to reduce added sugar, support blood sugar management, or manage weight. As a dietitian and diabetes care and education specialist, I’m increasingly asked whether allulose is actually healthier than sugar and whether the evidence supports the hype. And honestly, I understand the appeal. I still have a major sweet tooth myself. While I’ve been more consistent about reducing alcohol and caffeine, I still enjoy sweet foods and often use low- and non-nutritive sweeteners to satisfy cravings without completely derailing my health goals. Unlike many artificial sweeteners, allulose tastes and…
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Probiotics vs Digestive Enzymes: Which Is Better for Gut Health?
If you’ve ever searched for ways to improve gut health, you’ve likely come across both probiotics and digestive enzymes, often marketed for similar symptoms like bloating, irregularity, and poor digestion. This overlap can make it difficult to know which one is actually the right fit. One product that keeps coming up is Seed’s Daily Synbiotic, a probiotic and prebiotic supplement positioned for microbiome support. I usually scroll past these ads, but this one caught my attention, especially when I saw they offer clinician samples, so I decided to try it myself. After a few weeks of using Seed, I found…
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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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What Are Peptides and Why Is Everyone Talking About Them?
In keeping with the latest viral TikTok trends, I couldn’t help but notice the surge of content tagged with #peptides. This isn’t simply encouragement to eat more protein-rich foods like meat, fish, or eggs. Instead, the conversation has shifted toward pills, powders, tinctures, and even injections of various peptides, many of which were never covered in my dietetics training. Naturally, that raised questions. If we’re not talking about the peptides that come from whole foods, what exactly are people taking? I dug into the literature to better understand what peptides are, how they’re being used, and what we actually know…
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Debunk the Junk: 4 Common Myths About Insulin Pumps
Starting on an insulin pump can feel like a big step, especially for someone who’s been managing their diabetes a certain way for years. But with the right support, it can also be an empowering transition. As clinicians, we each bring our own experiences and perspectives when it comes to diabetes technology. And often, our patients surprise us in wonderful ways. That’s why it’s helpful to pause and reflect on the assumptions we may carry about who’s “right” for pump therapy. Let’s explore a few common myths I hear in practice. By unpacking these together, we can make more personalized,…
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What’s the Deal with GLP-1 Microdosing?
Is Less Really More? When it comes to GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, that’s the question more providers and patients are starting to ask. Originally approved for type 2 diabetes and later for obesity treatment, GLP-1 and other incretin-based therapies have rapidly gained traction in both clinical and consumer spaces. If you’re newer to prescribing or supporting GLP-1 therapy, I’ve put together a four-part series covering key considerations, including initiation, weight management, cost, and side effect mitigation. Now, a new conversation is emerging: GLP-1 microdosing. What does microdosing mean in this context? Does it have clinical merit? And who…
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ADA Scientific Sessions: Expanding the Discussion to Include Weight Bias
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the American Diabetes Association’s 85th Scientific Sessions in Chicago. It was a phenomenal gathering of researchers, clinicians, scientists, and experts in the field of cardiometabolic health. One of the most compelling shifts I observed was the growing emphasis on obesity care and treatment. The Obesity Association, a new division of the American Diabetes Association, recently published the Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity to guide respectful, evidence-based treatment. These standards highlight weight stigma and bias as critical issues in clinical practice. To support the launch of the standards, a special…
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Goodbye BMI? Why Body Composition Is Gaining Ground in Clinics
The rise of incretin-based therapies for obesity care, like Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide), has brought renewed attention to the risk of muscle atrophy that can accompany rapid weight loss. To better assess changes in skeletal muscle mass, clinicians are turning to body composition assessment tools to track progress over time. However, the ability to measure, interpret, and communicate changes in body composition is a skill most clinicians haven’t been formally trained in, leaving many feeling like it’s not a tool they can confidently use. I want to push back against that assumption and offer some basic principles to help…
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What Is Type 5 Diabetes? Exploring the Newest Diagnostic Category
If you’ve seen a new diabetes diagnosis category circulating in medical circles and found yourself confused, thinking, “I don’t remember learning about that type in medical, nursing, or dietetics school,” don’t worry. It’s not necessarily a brand-new form of diabetes, but rather a reclassification of an existing phenotype, now described with clearer criteria and greater focus on its underlying causes. Malnutrition-related diabetes, now referred to as Type 5 Diabetes, was recently recognized by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Let’s explore what this new classification means and how it may impact your practice. What is Type 5 Diabetes? Type 5 diabetes…
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Double Diabetes: Supporting Patients Through the Diagnostic Overlap
If you’ve never heard the term “double diabetes” before, don’t be alarmed. It’s not an official diagnosis, and you likely won’t find it in a medical textbook. However, it’s a term that’s gaining traction to describe a growing population of adults whose diabetes doesn’t fit neatly into the diagnostic criteria for either type 1 or type 2. Sometimes referred to as “hybrid diabetes,” “type 1.5,” or “LADA” (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults), recent research suggests that the distinction between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is less clear-cut than previously thought. In some cases, features of both types can coexist.…
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Fatty Liver on the Rise: What You Need to Know
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimates that over 40% of the U.S. population will develop metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), commonly known as fatty liver, by 2050—equating to approximately 122 million adults. This number is both astounding and concerning, especially as fatty liver disease is rapidly becoming one of the leading causes of liver transplants—and a new liver isn’t easy to come by. In fact, the study predicts that liver cancer cases will double, while the need for liver transplants will quadruple. This raises an urgent question: What is being done to…
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Do Food Warning Labels Really Work?
On a recent trip abroad, I couldn’t help but notice the abundance of food warning labels on items at the local mini-mart. Bold, bright labels reading “Danger: High Fat” or “Excess Sugar” were stamped across the front of snack packaging. I wasn’t surprised—I knew full well that the bag of chips I grabbed wasn’t the healthiest choice, but I really wanted to try them. When in Rome! Still, it made me wonder—do food warning labels actually deter consumers? Do they influence purchasing behavior, or do people, like me, simply ignore them when cravings strike? Let’s explore when and why food…
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Obesity Redefined: A Bold New Approach to Diagnosis
A recent publication in The Lancet: Diabetes & Endocrinology is prompting the medical community to rethink how obesity is screened and diagnosed. Endorsed by over 75 organizations worldwide, including scientific societies and patient advocacy groups, this consensus calls for a major overhaul of the language, classification, and diagnostic criteria used to address excess adiposity and its impact on the body. Interestingly, the commission not only includes international experts from diverse medical specialties and regions but also individuals with lived experience of obesity. Together, they aim to define ‘clinical obesity’ and establish objective criteria for its diagnosis. Let’s dive into their…
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Blood Sugar Supplements: Backed by Science or Driven by Hype?
The start of a new year often brings an influx of private practice clients eager to tackle their health goals, and one of the most common topics of conversation is the potential benefits of supplements for glucose control. Many people hope that supplements might provide the extra boost they need to achieve success, especially when the prospect of overhauling their entire diet and lifestyle feels overwhelming. I frequently find myself addressing questions about which supplements, if any, are truly effective for managing blood sugar. Adding to the confusion is the sheer size of the global wellness industry, valued at an…
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Banning Artificial Food Dyes: Health Risk or Overreaction?
Lately, I’ve been fielding more questions than usual about food dyes, and I can’t help but wonder if the recent ban on six harmful food dyes in California schools is sparking more concern. Many of my clients are increasingly worried about how these dyes might affect their health goals—whether it’s weight loss, diabetes prevention, or overall wellness. The conversation around food dyes is gaining momentum, and it’s clear that people are paying attention to the potential impact on their health. For a long time, my mindset was, “If it’s on the market, it must be safe.” But since having a…
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The Weight of the Nation: Insights from the Global Health Data Exchange
A recent article published in The Lancet highlights the concerning status of overweight and obesity in the United States, providing a stark look at the trajectory of this public health crisis. Not only are the numbers projected to rise, but the data also underscores a troubling reality: efforts to combat overweight and obesity over the past 30 years have been largely ineffective. I’m no public health expert, but this clearly calls for a critical reassessment of current strategies and the adoption of a more comprehensive approach. Could this study be the wake-up call we need? Study Overview and Data Analysis…
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Are “Forever Chemicals” Really Forever?
I’d be lying if I said I thought much about the chemicals in my food or cookware. If they’re on the market in the U.S., they must be safe, right? But now, with a toddler at home, I feel a strong obligation to consider these health concerns—especially regarding PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. What are these “forever chemicals”? How do they end up in my food? Should I be worried, and what can I realistically do? If you’ve had similar questions, let’s take a closer look at some of these recent health claims and explore practical strategies to reduce…
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Seed Oils Uncovered: Are the Risks Greater Than the Benefits?
In recent years, seed oils—such as canola, soybean, sunflower, and corn oils—have become central to discussions on healthy eating. While widely used in home kitchens and food manufacturing, questions have emerged about whether their potential risks may outweigh their benefits. To better inform our choices, let’s take a closer look at the facts about seed oils, including their nutritional profiles, processing methods, and potential impact on health. What are Seed Oils? Seed oils are extracted from various seeds, including canola, sunflower, soybean, and safflower. They’re commonly used in cooking, baking, and food production due to their mild flavor, affordability, and…
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A Closer Dive into the “Food is Medicine” Debate
What we eat has profound effects on our health and well-being. Research shows that dietary habits can influence the risk of developing various diseases; while some foods may contribute to chronic health conditions, others offer therapeutic and protective benefits. This has led many to advocate for the concept of “Food is Medicine,” emphasizing nutrition’s potential to prevent and manage disease. But what about when conventional medicine is necessary? Are we asking patients to choose between food and pharmacology? Let’s take a closer look at the “Food is Medicine” debate to explore how nutrition and traditional medicine can complement each other…
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Dizziness and Wegovy: What’s the Connection?
I’ve recently had an increasing number of patients report dizziness while taking Wegovy (semaglutide). This has been observed in both newly prescribed patients and those who have been on the medication for over a year. The dizziness appears distinct from more common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. It occurs suddenly and unpredictably but is consistently present. What could be causing this dizziness in patients using Wegovy for weight loss? Let’s explore the science to better understand this phenomenon. What is Wegovy? Wegovy is a once weekly prescription medication containing semaglutide, which is used for chronic weight…
