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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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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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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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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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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…
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Cortisol and Weight Gain: How Stress Affects Your Body
Cortisol has become a prominent topic in discussions about weight loss. Often referred to as the “fight or flight” hormone, it is closely associated with stress. Recently, many health and wellness influencers have suggested that elevated cortisol may be responsible for unexplained weight gain or the body’s resistance to weight loss. But is this accurate? Are abnormally high cortisol levels truly contributing to the obesity epidemic? Let’s take a look at what the science says. What is Cortisol? Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys. It is often referred to as…
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The Many Benefits of Breakfast
Breakfast is often hailed as the most important meal of the day, and for good reason. A nutritious morning meal can set the tone for the rest of the day, providing the energy and nutrients your body needs to function optimally. Irregardless of your plans for the day, making time for breakfast can significantly impact your health, mood, and productivity. Enhanced Cognitive Function Studies have shown that eating breakfast can improve memory, attention, and overall cognitive function. For students and professionals, this means better performance at school or work. A balanced breakfast that includes whole grains, fruits, and proteins can…
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3 Foods to Eat Less of as You Age
As we age, our nutritional needs and metabolism change. Making mindful adjustments to our diet can help us maintain good health, prevent chronic diseases, and improve overall quality of life. Here are three foods you should consider reducing as you get older. Alcohol As we age, our body’s ability to process alcohol can change dramatically. Liver function declines, leading to slower metabolism of alcohol, which means alcohol stays in the system longer and has more pronounced and prolonged effects. Additionally, decreased production of enzymes involved in alcohol metabolism (such as ADH and ALDH) puts older adults at higher risk of…
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4 Clinical Pearls from the 2024 ATDC Conference
I was very fortunate to attend the 2024 ATDC Conference this year in beautiful Keystone, Colorado. The ATDC Conference has been an integral part of education and case-based studies of pipeline diabetes technology for over 30 years. This year’s focus included keynotes and plenaries on topics such as cardiovascular disease outcomes in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, early detection strategies, updates in AID and Rx/OTC sensors, updates in macro- and microvascular complications, and even a possible cure for type 1 diabetes. Despite being an intimate event, hosted at almost 10,000 feet, there was no shortage of big names…
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Remission vs Reversal
I’d like to think we are at the cusp of finding a cure for diabetes. Given the immense day-to-day burden, it can’t come fast enough. Until then, it’s important to proactively manage blood sugars, macro- and microvascular changes, and long term complications. With early and aggressive intervention, it’s not impossible to achieve euglycemia in those with endogenous insulin production—usually Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Substantial lifestyle change may even yield near “normal” glucose with little to no pharmacological intervention. While it is tempting to think of this process as a “reversal” of diabetes, a 2021 consensus report recommends the term “remission”…
