Diabetes Digital Podcast by Food Heaven

In this episode, we’re joined by Diana Mesa, a bilingual dietitian and certified diabetes educator, to talk about the real-life challenges immigrant and first-generation families face when navigating the U.S. healthcare system. From language barriers and cultural stigma to confusing diagnoses and food shame, Diana shares practical tips for advocating for yourself or your loved ones.  We also dive...

Are you wondering why Black and Brown women are disproportionately affected by diabetes? In today’s episode of the Diabetes Digital Podcast, we dive deep into the systemic factors contributing to this health disparity. From access to quality healthcare and nutritious food to the pervasive impacts of medical bias and diet culture, we unpack the challenges these communities face and how they influen...

Have you ever been told to swap rice for quinoa or skip the plantains in the name of “healthy eating”? In this episode of the Diabetes Digital Podcast, we sit down with Dalina Soto, a Dominican-American registered dietitian and author of The Latina Anti-Diet, to explore how mainstream nutrition has unfairly vilified cultural foods. Food is more than just calories—it’s tradition, culture, and conne...

Are you planning to start a family or looking to support your reproductive health? This week on the Diabetes Digital Podcast, we sit down with fertility-focused dietitian Ayla Barmmer to explore the powerful link between blood sugar and fertility. From how insulin resistance can impact ovulation to the surprising ways glucose levels affect sperm health, we cover it all in this insightful episode....

In our latest episode of the Diabetes Digital Podcast , we sat down with our incredible dietitian, Nikki Sahebghalam, who specializes in diabetes and women's health. We had an in-depth conversation about PCOS—what it is, how it’s diagnosed, and most importantly, how you can manage it in a way that actually works for your body.

Veganism is one of those topics that comes up a lot when I’m working with clients. Some people swear it changed their life, while others try it for a while and realize it’s not for them. In this episode, Wendy and Jessica tackle this question head-on: Should you go vegan if you have diabetes? In this episode, we'll dive into the research and share practical advice. When it comes to diabetes manage...

You've probably heard all the buzz about intermittent fasting (IF) lately. With claims of weight loss, better blood sugar control, and metabolic improvements, it’s easy to see the appeal. It sounds simple and effective...but is there more to the story? As a dietitian, I’ve had so many clients with diabetes come to me excited about trying IF, hoping it might be the magic bullet they’ve been looking...

New Year, new you, right? We’ve all felt that irresistible pull to start January with grand resolutions: adopting a strict diet, committing to an intense workout regimen, or deciding to completely overhaul our lives. But let’s be honest—how many of those bold plans actually survive past February? As a dietitian with over a decade of experience, I’ve seen this pattern unfold countless times. It’s n...

Are you hesitant about enjoying sweets during the holidays because you’re afraid of blood sugar fluctuations? In this episode, we share our favorite holiday desserts that are both delicious and diabetes-friendly. We explore a variety of dessert recipes for people managing diabetes, offering options that are lower in sugar and rich in flavor. From chocolate treats to fruity delights, we provide tip...

The holidays can be a challenging time for maintaining health habits, and overeating your favorite comfort foods is a common occurrence during this time of the year. Today we’re sharing practical strategies to help you navigate overeating during the holiday season. We discuss mindful eating techniques, the importance of balance and moderation, and tips for approaching holiday gatherings and meals....

In this episode of the Diabetes Digital Podcast, hosts Jessica Jones and Wendy Lopez delve into the topic of intuitive eating for managing prediabetes. Discover how non-diet and Health at Every Size (HAES) approaches can help balance blood sugar and improve overall health without focusing on weight loss. We discuss the principles of intuitive eating, debunk common myths, and offer practical tips f...

In this episode of the Diabetes Digital Podcast, hosts Jessica Jones and Wendy Lopez are joined by Jose Tejero, an exercise physiologist with a degree in Exercise Science. Together, they explore the best exercises for managing and preventing prediabetes. We delve into science-backed tips on the frequency, duration, and intensity of workouts to help you find your perfect fit. Discover the most effe...

In part two of our prediabetes series, hosts Jessica Jones and Wendy Lopez tackle the burning question: How long does it take to reverse prediabetes? We discuss whether it's possible to reverse prediabetes permanently and explore the essential strategies, key milestones, and success factors involved. From food choices and swaps to exercise plans and other lifestyle changes, we break down the steps...

Today, we're excited to kick off our new series on prediabetes, a condition that affects approximately 96 million U.S. adults. In this comprehensive episode of the Diabetes Digital Podcast, hosts Jessica Jones and Wendy Lopez delve into everything you need to know about prediabetes. We start by explaining the difference between a prediabetes and diabetes diagnosis, highlighting that many people wi...

New Episode Alert! Today on the pod, we dive into the world of beverages and their impact on blood sugar levels. We'll share our top picks for diabetes-friendly drinks, including tips on enjoying your favorite coffee, alcohol, smoothies, and teas without the unwanted spikes. Join us for an informative and practical discussion designed to help you make better beverage choices and support your diabe...

In this episode, hosts Jessica Jones and Wendy Lopez explore the vital role dietitians play in managing diabetes effectively. Join us as we delve into how working with a registered dietitian can provide personalized, evidence-based guidance to improve your blood sugar control, enhance your overall health, and support sustainable lifestyle changes. We discuss the science behind medical nutrition th...

In today’s podcast episode, we are joined by Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition. Maya, a registered dietitian nutritionist and author of "Eating from Our Roots: 80+ Healthy Home-Cooked Favorites from Cultures Around the World," also co-hosts Slate's new wellness podcast, "Well, Now." The discussion centers on the controversial topic of artificial sweeteners, explorin...

In today’s podcast episode, we are joined by Constance Brown-Riggs, an award-winning registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. Constance shares her extensive knowledge on the effectiveness, dosages, and potential side effects of popular supplements like cinnamon, bitter melon, chromium, alpha lipoic acid, and apple cider vinegar for managing diabetes. She also reveals which supplements...

In this short and sweet episode, we're bringing you up to speed on some minor changes coming to the podcast. Don't worry, these updates are all about making your listening experience even better! Plus, we're thrilled to share details about some awesome events we're hosting this week that you definitely don't want to miss. Tune in for all the info and get ready for an exciting week ahead! In this e...

In today’s episode, we welcome Laura Pavlakovich, founder of You're Just My Type. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age four, Laura shares her journey and the mission behind her platform, which started as a photo project and has grown into a thriving community offering support, education, and resources. Laura discusses her mental health challenges, strategies for managing the fear of hypoglycemia,...

In today’s episode we explore how to balance blood sugar, and we're excited to welcome Erica Zellner. Erica is a Connecticut-based Clinical Nutritionist and Senior Health Coach with six years of functional nutrition experience. A health coach at Parsley Health, Erica shares her integrative approaches to diabetes management, emphasizing the importance of personalized nutrition, stress reduction, an...

In this episode, the hosts are joined by Fernando Umanzor Guzman, a registered dietitian at Diabetes Digital with a deep understanding of cultural foods, who shares insight on how to meal plan for diabetes. Growing up in a Latin and African immigrant community in Washington D.C., Fernando is passionate about debunking myths surrounding cultural foods and promoting their health benefits. He shares...

In this episode, we talk about perimenopause and menopause with Dr. Jordan, Chief Medical Officer at Midi Health. Dr. Jordan leads a team focused on women’s midlife health through Midi, a telehealth platform. We cover what menopause is, its common symptoms, when it usually starts, and how it’s related to impaired glucose tolerance. Dr. Jordan explains Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), discussing...

In this podcast episode, we chat with Carmelita Lombera, a UC Berkeley graduate and Diabetes Digital Dietitian with a diverse career in health coaching and nutrition, tackling the question: does fruit pose risks for those with diabetes? We dive into the difference between natural fruit sugars and added sugars, stressing the importance of understanding Glycemic Index (GI) and Glycemic Load (GL) for...

On today's episode, we are back with Erin Phillips, a registered dietitian and diabetes expert for part two of our discussion on Ozempic. Erin talks on the possibility of using Ozempic for prediabetes and the challenges that arise when its demand is influenced by weight loss trends. She discusses how she handles patient requests regarding the use of Ozempic for weight loss without diabetes, its cl...