Managing Diabetes & Insulin Resistance with Dietitians Wendy Lopez & Jessica Jones | SHE MD

Understanding Diabetes and Insulin Resistance

• 💡 Diabetes and pre-diabetes affect a significant portion of the US population, with Black women facing a 63% higher risk, often due to social determinants of health like stress and limited access to care.
• 🎯 When you eat carbohydrates, they raise blood sugar, and insulin acts as a key to help glucose enter cells for energy.
• ⚠️ In pre-diabetes, the body may become insulin resistant, meaning the key doesn't fit the lock as well, leading to excess glucose buildup in the blood, which can damage the vascular system over time.
• 🔬 Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the pancreas, requiring insulin, while Type 2 diabetes often begins with insulin resistance and is influenced by genetics, age, race, and lifestyle factors.

Diabetes Digital: A New Approach to Care

• 🚀 Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones founded Diabetes Digital, an insurance-covered telehealth platform offering virtual nutrition counseling for women managing diabetes, pre-diabetes, and PCOS.
• 🧠 They advocate for an intuitive eating and Health at Every Size (HAES) approach, moving away from restrictive diets that can lead to disordered eating and a disconnect from cultural foods.
• ✅ Their 12-week program emphasizes a non-restrictive approach, focusing on overall health and well-being, lab values, sleep quality, and social relationships, rather than solely weight loss.
• 🍽️ They teach patients how to balance meals by pairing carbohydrates with protein, fiber, and fat to stabilize blood sugar, emphasizing that carbs are not inherently bad and are a source of essential nutrients.

Lifestyle and Management Strategies

• 🚶‍♀️ Simple lifestyle changes like a 10-minute walk after meals or incorporating balanced breakfasts with multiple food groups can significantly improve blood sugar levels.
• 🚫 Intermittent fasting is not essential for diabetes management and can be dangerous for those on certain medications, potentially leading to extreme hunger or overeating.
• 💪 For patients on GLP-1 medications, maintaining lean muscle mass through strength training and adequate protein intake (25-30g per meal) is crucial to support blood sugar regulation and prevent muscle wasting.
• 🌸 During menopause, focusing on macronutrient balance, adequate protein, strength training, and finding a knowledgeable healthcare provider are key for managing blood sugar and energy levels.

Accessibility and Empowerment

• 🥦 Frozen fruits and vegetables are a nutritious and cost-effective option, often retaining similar nutritional value to fresh produce and lasting longer.
• 💰 Diabetes Digital aims to make care accessible by verifying insurance benefits, allowing patients to see a dietitian as soon as the next day.
• 🗣️ The founders, as women of color, have faced barriers like being underpaid and tokenized in the wellness industry, motivating them to create a business model that prioritizes their voices and experiences.
• 🤝 They emphasize cultural humility and personalized care, recognizing that patients' lived experiences, cultural backgrounds, and individual challenges significantly inform their health journey.