Over the past nine years, Jessica has helped hundreds of people with newly diagnosed and longstanding diabetes. Often people are understandably confused about what they ‘can’ and ‘cannot’ eat when initially diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. One of the most rewarding parts of working with these people is seeing the relief when they walk out at the end of the initial consultation, feeling a lot more knowledgable in how to manage their diabetes and knowing where to begin with lifestyle changes.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 85 to 90 per cent of all people with diabetes. It usually develops in adults over the age of 45, but it is increasingly developing at a younger age.
Management of Type 2 diabetes does NOT require a strict diet that cuts certain foods out of a person’s diet for life. People living with Type 2 diabetes can live a normal and happy life.
A dietitian is trained to assess dietary intake and recommend appropriate changes to manage a person’s diabetes. EVERY person with diabetes is different, and will have different responses to different foods and in different amounts. A dietitian is able to tailor intake to suit you in your lifestyle, work and family environment.
Regular blood glucose monitoring is important and can be very helpful for the GP, dietitian and person living with diabetes, to assess how well controlled the diabetes is.
Type 1 diabetes, it is an autoimmune disease. Unlike Type 2, Type 1 diabetics are unable to produce any insulin at all. Working with a dietitian to manage Type 1 diabetes is very important, and especially when someone is initially diagnosed.