November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and 11/14/24 is World Diabetes Day. If you are reading this, there is a very high chance that diabetes, in some form, whether Type 1, Type 2, Gestational, etc., has impacted you or someone you love. As many of you know, I live with Type 1 Diabetes. For World Diabetes Day (and month), the aim this year is to focus on diabetes and well-being. If you have been around Lemond Nutrition for any time at all, you know that true well-being and focus on the WHOLE person is one of our main missions.

As I work with those with diabetes, often spending more time with people with Type 1 diabetes, well-being and not just surviving, but THRIVING, is where I push my focus. Diabetes care and management can be all consuming. Did you know that an estimated 36%+ of people living with diabetes experience diabetes distress? Did you know that an estimated 63%+ of people with diabetes say that the fear of developing diabetes-related complications affects their well-being? Did you know that an estimated 28%+ of people with diabetes find it hard to remain positive in relation to their condition? Did you know that it is estimated that only 5-7% of people with diabetes receive formal diabetes education from a Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support program (DSMES)? Did you know that it is estimated that only 10% of people with diabetes are referred to a registered dietitian nutritionist?

While those statistics may sound daunting, I am convinced there is hope! There are countless dietitians, therapists and doctors that are working to change this story! Diabetes care, as a whole, is continually shifting towards a person-centered approach, meeting the challenges of the disease, but looking past that to the full person and their well-being.

Here at Lemond Nutrition, you may have heard of our Freedom Wellness Diabetes Management and Prevention classes. With each class completion, we are seeing significant drops in Hemoglobin A1c and other diabetes-related metrics in a weight-neutral and person-centered approach, while creating a community of amazing participants that are encouraging and supporting one another, nurturing their well-being.

Did you know that diabetes care with a registered dietitian nutritionist is often covered at little to no cost by your insurance? Did you know there are programs like Livongo and SingleCare, just to name a few, that can help with providing free or reduced cost access to diabetes management supplies? I have personally used Livongo myself!

As a dietitian and a fellow person living with diabetes, I strive to acknowledge the difficulty we may face in managing, but empowering others and myself to focus on what we CAN do each day to maximize our well-being. A few of my favorite things? Daily walks with my family and spending time outdoors, practical and easy meal prep focusing on balancing fiber-rich options with protein and fat, prioritizing my hydration (get a cute cup if you need to :) ), share my struggles/frustrations when they arise, remind myself that I am doing my best and live in gratitude!

Do you need help navigating diabetes? Whether it is a new diagnosis, something you’ve lived with for years, or you just want fresh ideas and a new approach… call us today! We would love to work with you!