This month’s Registered Dietitian/Health Coach spotlight features Joan Tompkins, who has been in the nutrition field for over 30 years. Joan says she’s extremely thankful to work with a supportive, positive, and innovative group of people at GemCare Wellness. She says workdays and weeks go quickly with lots to do while having fun doing it!
What inspired you to enter into this field? When I started college, I planned to go into the food-service business/ hospitality industry (back in high school, I worked at a banquet center and enjoyed the catering business and working at receptions and parties). While at college, I got hooked on nutrition science and decided to go the Registered Dietitian route. When I first completed my degree, I worked in clinical dietetics, assisting patients with chronic kidney failure. Those early years taught me valuable lessons and insight, which I apply today to help our members avoid developing chronic illness, to begin with, and improve their health and wellness.
What do you love about being a GemCare Wellness Dietitian?
I love the variety and flexibility; every day is different with the cases I treat and people I coach nationwide – even in Alaska and Hawaii! I also get to teach classes preventing type 2 Diabetes (Diabetes Prevention Program) and, more recently, tobacco cessation classes. My favorite aspect of this position is being creative and developing education materials for coaches and members.
How has coaching impacted your life?
Coaching challenges me to practice all of the healthy habits I recommend to clients! For example, a few years ago, I realized I was recommending Strength Training (ST) all of the time and not doing it myself….so I established a routine to make sure I do ST a few times per week. Coaching has also helped me realize we are all a work in progress, regardless of our age and stage in life.
What is a memorable member success story? Early in my career, what was most memorable was having former patients I worked with on dialysis come back to visit me after receiving a kidney transplant — that was epic and so great to hear from them, and humbling to be a part of their journey for improved health. They truly got their lives back! More recently, I had a couple that I worked with over a year ago reach out to share the progress they were making. They both continue to lose weight and are living an active, healthy lifestyle. Hearing from past members I have coached inspires me every day!
When you are not coaching, where can you be found? Likely outside walking our Siberian Husky! I also enjoy swimming and reading. My mantra is: Life is better by the pool, in the pool, at the pool! I have also raised two young adult children who are now out on their own; Raising my family was the most rewarding and challenging work I have ever done! I love spending family time with my children and husband of 30 years and enjoy watching movies and sports. I am involved in a women’s prayer group at my church. When the pandemic is finally over, I can’t wait to get back to enjoying live music and going to concerts.
What three tips/advice would you provide to a new member/client? First, establish your health and wellness goals. Second, develop a plan to achieve these goals. Third, make adjustments as needed along the way. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to better health. I aim to help people, help themselves and focus on making healthy lifestyle changes that are realistic, practical, and easy to maintain.
If you’re interested in working with GemCare Wellness Registered Dietitians like Joan, please contact us today to set up a consultation! Whether you’re an individual looking to improve your health or an employer focused on a healthier population, GemCare Wellness has a program to fit your needs!
This month’s Registered Dietitian Spotlight focuses on Megan Rose whose name shows up time and time again in member surveys. We are so lucky to have Megan and her expertise to help people find their own path toward health and wellness.
What do you love about being a GemCare Wellness Dietitian? I love that I get to work with individuals on a long-term basis, and we get to develop a relationship over time. I love guiding clients in meeting their goals.
How has coaching impacted your life?
It’s completely changed how I view dietetics. I’ve learned nutrition doesn’t have to be strict, rigid, or full of rules and guidelines, but actually can be quite flexible, enjoyable, and empowering.
What is a memorable member success story?
I worked with an individual on lowering his cholesterol over a 1-year period. He was diligent in the changes he made – eating more fruits and veggies and adding flaxseed, tart cherry juice, and regular exercise. He was able to greatly lower his cholesterol without the use of medications. He told me that I saved his life. That was definitely a humbling moment for me.
What hobbies do you enjoy?
I LOVE writing, and I’m currently writing my first romance fantasy novel. I also love dancing with my dogs in our yard (and they love it, too).
If you’re interested in working with GemCare Wellness Registered Dietitians like Megan, please contact us today to set up a consultation! Whether you’re an individual looking to improve your health or an employer focused on a healthier population, GemCare Wellness has a program to fit your needs!
Start 2021 the Right Way – By Taking Charge of your Health!
Written by Dana Onesti, RD, LD and Kayla Bechtel, RD, LDN, CPT
Do you have the same New Year’s Resolution each year only to lose sight of it come February? With less than 8% of people achieving their resolutions, make a change to avoid type 2 diabetes and ensure you don’t fall in this statistic!1
Enroll in the GemCare Wellness Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) to make certain this will be the “New Year, New You” that you have always wanted. While many fad diets and promises of a “quick fix” bombard your newsfeed, the DPP classes are built on a lifestyle change program. This free, year-long program – funded by the Ohio Department of Health – focuses on long-term changes and results that will last! During your journey, you will work alongside Registered Dietitians (RDs) who will provide you with the tools and knowledge to succeed. Furthermore, you will have the accountability and support of other like-minded individuals who are working toward similar goals.
Past and current participants of this program have cut their risk of developing type two diabetes by 58%.2 To do this, they lost 5-7% of their body weight and exercised at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week. Each class, your dietitians will educate you on a new topic, diving deeper into nutrition and exercise. Some of the classes include topics such as the struggle of lifestyle change, stress management, tactics to stay motivated, food preparation, preventing a relapse, and many more.
For the first 6 months, classes meet on a weekly/biweekly basis. This provides the essential accountability needed for long-term success. For the last 6 months, the group meets monthly to tackle any new challenges and ensure your progress is still going strong. As a virtual program, it could not be easier to join from your home while achieving your goals!
Two years ago my glucose numbers started to creep up, and I was overweight for my body structure. This class class helped me to understand lifestyle changes in both diet and physical activity. Learning to limit carbs and moderately exercising 20 to 30 minutes a day has really changed me. – 2019 DPP Participant
Don’t let another year pass by! Make the commitment to your physical and mental health; let our team help you feel your best while reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes! Click the link below to get started.
November is American Diabetes Month, which is a time to take action together to raise awareness and draw attention to the importance of proper diabetes education. Learn more at www.diabetes.org.
“You don’t realize how bad your body feels until you change something. I feel so much better now and that was worth it.”
When we think about treating diabetes, the first thing that usually comes to mind is insulin injections or staring down a pillbox. But instead of looking into the medicine cabinet, is there a way we can take a glance in our fridge and manage type 2 diabetes? Yes! As the Greek physician, Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food.”
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t respond to insulin. Think of insulin as a key that unlocks the door to let sugar or glucose into your cells. When the key is not working, then the extra glucose floats around in our bloodstream and we get high blood sugar readings.
Why does this happen? Exactly why is unknown, but we do know our genes and lifestyles (including being overweight and/or inactive) influence it. We can’t really mess with our genes. We have to deal with the deck of cards we are dealt, BUT we can control lifestyle choices.
So, the million-dollar question: What is the diet I need to be following to positively affect type 2 diabetes? Is it high fat? Is it low carb? How does the nutrition community feel about keto nowadays?
The answer – and to be honest, you may not like it – isn’t simple and you need to look at what YOUR body says. Doing your research and gathering data is the best way to answer this question. Working on small lifestyle changes can make the body more sensitive to insulin.
Even though it’s the holiday season, there’s no reason to wait to get started. The following strategies can help you start making positive changes NOW:
Watch your carbohydrate intake – there are lots of free apps that can help you track daily intake.
Increase your fiber to at least 25 grams per day – think leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, and beans.
Choose less-processed carbohydrates over highly processed carbs – an apple a day keeps the doctor a day, not an apple juice box a day!
When possible replace saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats – think less fat from protein (meat) and more from plants (like avocados).
Watch how a high-fat meal affects blood sugar – high-fat meals may delay the breakdown of food and blood sugar spike, and also increase insulin requirements.
Lower your calorie intake, either through food or increasing movement – this helps the body use the glucose better and tends to lower blood sugars.
Regularly check your blood sugar to make sure it is in range and to identify how your diet and exercise impact the numbers.
But what benefit do you get out of focusing on how to eat? Some numbers are lower on a glucose meter, so what? Our clients tell us every day why making good choices is important! One client was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and started checking his blood sugar per doctor’s orders. He could not seem to get it below 200 mg/dL, which is a high reading. We focused on making small changes like eating smaller portions, eating out one day less in a week, and giving up bread. He recently told us that his blood sugar no longer goes above 140 mg/dL, a reading well within range! He also said, “You know, you don’t realize how bad your body feels until you change something. I feel so much better now and that was worth it.”
Another client really struggled with adjusting his NPH insulin. Because this is a fixed dose of rapid and background insulin, the client must eat the same amount of carbohydrates at around the same time per day. In the summer this was a hard routine to follow. A lot was going on, this client’s weight had gotten to his highest point, and he was taking around 38 units of insulin twice a day. Sometimes at night, he would go so low that he would have to use glucose tabs. With trial and error and working with his Registered Dietitian, he tested what foods worked for him. He decided on a lower-carbohydrate meal pattern. Each day, he planned for 2 proteins, 2 servings of fruit, 3 servings of veggies, and 2 servings of carbs. Through focusing on this lower-carb, balanced approach for three months, he is down 20 pounds and is only using 18 units of insulin a day!
Lifestyle choices allow us to be in charge of type 2 diabetes. Nutrition is a way to feel better, lower blood sugar levels, lose weight, and possibly reduce medication needs. If you’d like extra help with meal planning or have questions related to type 2 diabetes, feel free to reach out to contact us today to set up a consultation!
If you have not been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but have prediabetes or are at risk of prediabetes, check out our virtual Diabetes Prevention Programs. These online programs are sponsored by the Ohio Department of Health and free to participants. Classes start in January, so sign up today: https://www.gemcarewellness.com/programs/diabetes-prevention/
Annually the American Cancer Society sponsors the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November. Join thousands of people who take the first step today toward a healthier and tobacco-free life. Learn more on the ACS website.
Quitting tobacco is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health. Research shows that people who quit smoking can significantly lower their risk of other smoking-related diseases and even reduce their medical expenses (not to mention all the money they save on cigarettes!). The Registered Dietitians at GemCare Wellness have proven success in helping people quit smoking. We’ll help you educate yourself, design your quit plan, build a support system, and implement tactics for when you face challenges.
If you’re interested in working with a GemCare Wellness health coach who can help you make and implement a plan to quit smoking, review our NutraVantage packages. Get started on building a plan by clicking below to download 5 Steps to Quit Smoking:
Not ready to commit to a NutraVantage package? Contact us today to set up a consultation! Whether you’re an individual looking to improve your health or an employer focused on a healthier population, GemCare Wellness has a program to fit your needs!
This month’s Registered Dietitian Spotlight focuses on a dietitian whose clients consistently meet and exceed their goals: Cindy Heslop, RDN, LD. Cindy lives a healthy lifestyle, but she wants us to know that “Dietitians are human too! I really enjoy quality ice cream, especially Handel’s brand here in Youngstown!” Cindy brings a wealth of experience to her role as a Registered Dietitian, and we’re so lucky to have her!
What do you love about being a GemCare Wellness Dietitian? I love how supportive we are of each other as a team, and I love helping clients be the best version of themselves. It’s so gratifying when a client “embraces” the wellness process and gets excited and passionate about their health!
How has coaching impacted your life?
I feel more connected to people… I’ve coached clients from Alaska and Hawaii to Florida and everywhere in between. I feel blessed to be able to meet people of every age from all over the United States and to have them share their life experiences with me.
What is a memorable member success story?
I recently had a client who had been using smokeless tobacco for 49 years, since he was 12 years old, who was unaware of tobacco- and nicotine-free replacement products. After I worked with him, provided educational resources and motivational tools, he started using the replacement products, and within a month, he was tobacco- and nicotine-free! He told me his wife was very impressed with how I helped him achieve such a monumental goal so quickly and easily. I reminded him, though, that it was his readiness and desire to change that made it all possible – I was just along for the ride!
What hobbies do you enjoy?
I enjoy working on jigsaw puzzles, and I have one going at all times. It reminds me of my childhood and the special times spent with my grandma. On weekends, I enjoy reading or cooking with my husband, Frank, while cranking up some music and dancing around the kitchen.
If you’re interested in working with GemCare Wellness Registered Dietitians like Cindy, please contact us today to set up a consultation! Whether you’re an individual looking to improve your health or an employer focused on a healthier population, GemCare Wellness has a program to fit your needs!
What does “time-in-range” have to do with diabetes control?
November is American Diabetes Month, and today, Nov. 14, 2020 is World Diabetes Day. This is a time to take action together to raise awareness and draw attention to the importance of proper diabetes education. Learn more at www.diabetes.org and www.worlddiabetesday.org.
Just when we were all getting familiar with our A1C levels, a fairly new buzz-worthy phrase has emerged in relation to diabetes control, and that’s “time-in-range.” What “range” do the experts mean? According to the American Diabetes Association, it’s your target range for blood glucose (BG) levels and is generally 70 to 180 mg/dl. This includes BG readings before meals and after meals.
If you’re not familiar with time-in-range (TIR) now, you will be soon. As the adoption of continuous glucose monitors (CGM) continues to increase, you’ll see more people talking about TIR. The only way to accurately measure TIR is by continuously monitoring your blood glucose with a CGM, which will show you the history of your BG, not just a snapshot in time like a fingerstick measures. This information helps you identify trends and manage your diabetes more confidently.
Now that we know the target range is 70 to 180 mg/dl, the next step is to determine at what percentage of the day should you be within this range. What is a reasonable percentage? Should it be 100% of the time? Should it be 90% of the time?
Ultimately the answer depends on where you’re starting. For example, if you are in the range 50% of the time, then aim 60% of the time. Also, know that your medication regimen may also make achieving a high percent more challenging, and you and your healthcare team may choose a lower TIR goal. Managing diabetes is always individualized, and identifying TIR goals is no different.
And that achieving that TIR goal isn’t your only objective. Let’s say that you have a 90% TIR, which sounds great, right? But if the other 10% of the time your blood sugar is less than 70, you run the risk of hypoglycemic episodes that could be dangerous and should be avoided. Your goal, then, would be to work on avoiding the lows, even if it means that your percent time in range is a little lower, especially at first. Ideally, you want your time below 70 to be no greater than 3%. If you are having BG less than 70 more often than 3% of the time, it is likely time to reduce a medication that can cause lows.
As people with diabetes will know, most doctors judge your degree of blood sugar control on your A1C, which is based on the average blood sugar level over a three-month period. If you are using a CGM, you may wonder which is more important, TIR or A1C?
A1C has a well-known relationship with the risk of complications. Risks for things like kidney issues, eye problems, vascular, and nerve problems increase as the A1C goes up. But the problem with A1C is that it is an average of your blood sugar! You might be averaging very high numbers with very low numbers. These swings in blood sugar are not healthy.
Consider the chart below from DiaTribe. It shows the limitations of only looking at A1C results. As you can see, each graphic shows a different time-in-range, but they all have the same A1C of 7.0% (an average BG of 154mg/dl). Because we want to limit highs and slows, the third graphic with a 100% TIR is optimal.
CGM users are finding that they are empowered when knowing their BG levels immediately. With the advent of the CGM, waiting three months to find out how you’re doing is no longer status quo. At GemCare Wellness, we work with many people who have diabetes and use CGM along with health coaching from us to help manage their condition:
Gloria P. has recently said that she is now aware of the “evil carbs.” The CGM helped her recognize that “all carbs are not created equal” and that certain carbs impacted her blood sugar more than others. Since then, she has tried to limit use of rice, apples, and corn because they act as “bad carbs” for her, even in small portions.
Jason M. found that he could lower his medication use now that he has the CGM. By being aware of the changes in his blood glucose levels, he changed his diet and added exercise when his blood sugar was on the rise. He’s now reduced his medications in half, has better control, and is even saving money with lower medication costs! He reports that “all is good! I am saving money on meds and improving my lifestyle.”
Both of these individuals have successfully improved their time-in-range and now are awaiting that three-month A1C check. Hopefully, that number will make them proud — we’re already proud of them for all the work they’ve done to improve their health.
If you’re interested in working with GemCare Wellness, please contact us today to set up a consultation! Whether you’re an individual looking to improve your health or an employer focused on a healthier population, GemCare Wellness has a program to fit your needs!
Take Charge of Your Health This Holiday Season with GemCare Wellness’ Diabetes Prevention Program
Written by Jenna Adams, MFN, RD, LD & Heather Fowler, RDN, LD
Want to get a jumpstart on your health before the new year sets in? Want to learn how to manage your health during the holidays while still being able to enjoy your favorite seasonal foods? Food is a big part of the holidays, and it can be challenging to stay on track, but GemCare Wellness’ Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) can help you learn and implement lasting lifestyle changes to improve your health and delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.
Our free-of-charge*, virtual Diabetes Prevention Program is open to anyone who has been diagnosed with prediabetes or who is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes (T2). Losing 5-7% of your body weight and getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week can lower your risk for developing type 2 diabetes by 58%, and if you are 60 or older, you can lower your risk by 71%.1
DPP classes provide you with knowledge and tools to navigate not only the holidays but each day successfully. You’ll learn how to incorporate the tools you learn in this program into lifelong, lasting change. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Have a light meal or snack before a holiday event to help control your appetite.
Bring a healthy option, such as a veggie or fruit tray.
Hold a glass of water to stay hydrated and prevent grazing.
Scope out the selections at family meals and prioritize your favorites, forgoing those you could do without.
Select a moderate portion of the dessert that appeals most to you.
Plan for fun family activities indoors or outdoors, such as going for a walk, playing board games, or having a snowball fight.
Topics we will cover throughout the year include how to eat to prevent type 2 diabetes, shop and cook, manage stress, take charge of your thoughts, and stay motivated. With weekly classes in the first sixth months of the program, you’ll find the needed support to help you navigate the holiday season. Join now, end the year strong, and start 2021 one step closer to your health and wellness goals!
*Program free of charge to participants. Funded by the Ohio Department of Health.
Sources:
“About Prediabetes & Type 2 Diabetes.” National Diabetes Prevention Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Apr. 2019, cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/about-prediabetes.html.
While food choices cannot prevent a breast cancer diagnosis, a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle can help reduce risk
by Chelsea Jackle, RD
Did you know that 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer during her lifetime? (1) These odds may seem grim, but you should also know that survivorship has increased over the past several decades. (2) Better early detection and treatment are part of this improved outlook, but another important piece to the survivorship puzzle is prevention.
In addition to regular self-breast exams, mammograms, and follow-ups with your doctor to detect cancer early, being aware of lifestyle and nutrition changes that reduce your breast cancer risk is key. While no food or diet can prevent any cancer, eating a nutritious diet and living a healthy lifestyle can give you a better chance of reducing your risk.
There are many different types of cancer, all involving a variety of tissues and areas of the body. These differences impact how the disease behaves and how risk factors will affect it. For example, breast tissue is sensitive to changes in hormone levels (like estrogen), and this is especially true in cancer. Tumor growth is often affected by hormone levels. As most ladies know, your hormone levels change throughout each stage of life (and even within a month). This information on hormones will come in handy later.
Researchers are always studying how our diets, activity levels, and lifestyles affect cancer risk and survivorship. One of the largest ongoing projects on this topic is the Continuous Update Project (also known as CUP) from the World Cancer Research Fund. After analyzing many studies and looking for the strongest evidence available, the experts involved in this project identified a list of key factors that can impact your overall cancer risk. (2)
Foods to Include to Reduce Cancer Risk
Fruits and Vegetables
We’ve all heard that we should be eating more fruits and vegetables, but it may help to understand why experts emphasize the recommendation, especially when it comes to cancer risk.
Eating non-starchy vegetables can decrease the risk of a specific kind of breast cancer called ER- (or estrogen-receptor-negative). (2) Non-starchy vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes, asparagus, green beans, brussels sprouts, leafy greens, onions, and so many more!
Fruits, vegetables, and other plant foods like whole grains and beans contain special compounds called phytochemicals. These compounds have some long, fancy-sounding names (glucosinolates, isoflavones, and polyphenols… oh my!), but what you really need to know is that different foods have different amounts of phytochemicals, and they all play different roles, which makes it important to mix up the plant foods you eat. When you eat a variety of foods you get a variety of cancer-fighting phytochemicals.
According to the CUP research, an important family of phytochemical for reducing your breast cancer risk is the carotenoids. (2) If you’re thinking to yourself, “that word kind of reminds me of carrots,” you’re right! Carotenoids are found in carrots, but they are also found in other fruits and vegetables like cooked tomatoes, broccoli, leafy greens, winter squash, sweet potatoes, watermelon, apricots, oranges, and cantaloupe.
Soy Foods
Soy always seems to stir up controversy. Does it help? Does it hurt? According to the CUP project, breast cancer survivors who ate soy foods saw better survival rates!
The controversy around soy has to do with phytochemicals in soy called isoflavones, which are plant forms of the hormone estrogen. (See, I told you hormones were going to come up again!) Since high estrogen levels in the body have been linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, some believe that the plant estrogen in soy is harmful. Some of this belief also comes from studies where rats were given very high doses of isoflavones and saw increased cancer rates.
However, the isoflavone levels we get from real food are much smaller than this, and humans are not the same as rats! Current evidence in humans has not shown a link between soy foods and breast cancer risk. (3) Generally, 1-3 servings from whole food sources like tofu, edamame, miso, tempeh, and soy milk is recommended.
Calcium-Rich Foods
The CUP project concluded that diets rich in calcium decrease breast cancer risk. (2) High-calcium foods include dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese, as well as fortified non-dairy alternatives. This research project also found that dairy intake can reduce the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer. (2)
Other Lifestyle Modifications to Consider
Limit or Abstain from Alcohol
Consuming alcohol increases breast cancer risk as well as the risk for other cancers (colorectal, stomach, liver). The risk increases the more someone drinks. (2)
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being in the overweight or obese categories for Body Mass Index (BMI, which can be used to screen for health problems, but in itself is not diagnostic of an individual’s health) decreases the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer, but being in these weight categories during adulthood can increase the risk of post-menopausal breast cancer. Weight gain that happens in adulthood can also be a risk factor. (2) The key here is maintaining a healthy weight long-term.
Include Physical Activity
Evidence strongly suggests that vigorousphysical activity (any activity that elevates your heart rate to 70–80% of your maximum heartrate) can decrease your risk of breast cancer, but any amount of physical activity can be helpful and may also reduce your cancer risk. (2, 4)
Key Takeaways
Eat non-starchy vegetables and a variety of plant-based foods
Include fruit and vegetables that contain carotenoids
Include calcium-rich foods like dairy or dairy-alternatives
Limit or exclude alcoholic beverages
Maintain a healthy weight
Stay active and include vigorous physical activity if possible
Following the World Cancer Research Fund guidelines has been shown to lower the risk of developing many cancers, including breast cancer. (5) Knowing these guidelines is one thing, but implementing them can be a challenge. Our team of registered dietitians is here to help you make lasting lifestyle changes to improve your health. Book a consultation today: https://www.gemcarewellness.com/nutravantage-request-a-call/
Achieving Results with GemCare Wellness’ Diabetes Prevention Program
Written by Emily Topp, MS, RDN, LD
“I’ve seen numbers on the scale that I haven’t seen in years thanks to the GemCare Wellness Diabetes Prevention Program!” – 2019 DPP Participant
Did you know that 1 out of every 3 American adults has prediabetes? Additionally, of those with prediabetes, more than 8 out of 10 of them don’t even know that they have it. If those with prediabetes do not take action, they run the risk of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 years.1
COULD THIS BE YOU?
GemCare Wellness is delivering a Free, VirtualDiabetes Prevention Program (DPP) to assist participants in achieving their personal health goals, along with reducing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The overall goal of the DPP is for participants to lose 5% of their starting body weight and to average at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. For high-risk individuals, achieving these goals reduces their chance of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%. Since 2017, class participants have exceeded these goals and lost more than 6.4% of their starting body weight while averaging over 200 minutes of physical activity per week!
This year-long, evidence-based intervention program is no-charge* and open to anyone who has been diagnosed with prediabetes or those who may be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Our classes provide participants with the tools to make lifestyle changes, including dietary improvements and an increase in physical activity, along with a support group that includes individuals with similar goals and challenges. Our Registered Dietitians are dedicated to helping participants make positive, long-lasting changes, one step at a time.
Are you at risk? Take our Prediabetes Risk Test today!
WHAT MAKES OUR PROGRAM UNIQUE?
While most DPPs use health coaches to teach their sessions, our program is led by a team of Registered, Licensed Dietitians who are healthcare experts. They will be available to you during and between classes to answer any questions you may have!
All classes are virtual, making it easy to join from the comfort of your own home! To secure your spot and begin your journey to better health, click below.
*Program free of charge to participants. Funded by the Ohio Department of Health.
Sources:
“About Prediabetes & Type 2 Diabetes.” National Diabetes Prevention Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Apr. 2019, www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/about-prediabetes.html.
This month’s Registered Dietitian/Health Coach spotlight features Joan Tompkins, who has been in the nutrition field for over 30 years. Joan says she’s extremely thankful to work with a supportive, positive, and innovative group of people at GemCare Wellness. She says workdays and weeks go quickly with lots to do while having fun doing it!
