food as medicine - diabetessisters · food as medicine: 1. gut health 2. blood sugar balance 3....

Food As MedicineKelly Schmidt, RD, LDN

Type 1 since 1991

Kelly Schmidt Wellness

2007

» My Food As Medicine Story

» New Dietitian and Broke

Mindset

» Why aren’t you where you want to be with

your health?

» Food is powerful but don’t let it have too

much power over you.

» Progress verse perfection.

3 Pillars

Food As Medicine:

1. Gut Health

2. Blood Sugar Balance

3. Lifestyle

1. Gut

"All disease begins in the gut." -

Hippocrates

» 72% of women in the USA report they have

digestive issues

» The health of your gut has an enormous

role in autoimmunity.

» Inflammation and ”leaky gut,” have been

shown to precede tp Type 1 Diabetes.

1. Gut

» Inflammation causes insulin resistance

» Causes of inflammation:

» Stress, blood sugar changes, sedentary lifestyle , environmental factors, beauty products, skincare, antibiotics and even aging can throw it off kilter.

» Diet: sugar, refined carbohydrates, trans fats, too many omega 6 fats (vegetable oil), artificial sweetener, hidden food allergies/sensitivities, infection, imbalance of gut bacteria.

1. Gut Health Tools

1. Elimination Diet/Paleo Template/AIP Protocol

2. Supplements, such as:

Probiotics

L-Glutamine

Blood sugar specific supplements

3. Food Sensitivity Test

4. Annual Cleanse (with real food)

2. Blood Sugar Balance

“Let food be thy medicine and thy

medicine be thy food.” - Hippocrates

2. Blood Sugar Balance

» Less than 25% of people with T1D achieve an

A1c below 7.5%

» Insulin resistance is not “just about carbs.”

» Law of Small Numbers: Low carb is proven to

be the most successful (30-100 grams/day)

» Trend carbs up from breakfast

» Trend calories down from breakfast

» Keep meals consistent in size and timing of

the day - eat with the sun

2. Blood Sugar Balance

"Eat food, not too much, mostly plants." -

Michael Pollan

» Have a hypoglycemic personal protocol

» Glycemic index variables

» Be bold with insulin

» Cover protein with insulin

» Limit carbs

2. Blood Sugar Balance

CARB CYCLE:Week 1 (on period): High protein, high fat, touch of carbs. A good week to ground yourself, relax, participate in gentle movements (yoga, walking) and organize some plans and goals. Week 2: Highest carb week, lowest calorie. Week 3: Wind down the carbs, and begin increasing the fat and protein. Week 4 (right before period): Lowest carb, likely highest basal. Highest calorie.

3. Lifestyle

“If you accept your limitations

you go beyond them.”

3. Lifestyle

• Sleep

• Hydration

• Stimulants

• Movement - WALKING!

• Deep Breathing

• Get Connected

• Pre-bolus like a boss

Takeaways

• Nurture your gut, eat meals and meals with moderate protein, generous fat and some carbohydrates.

• DM can be viewed as an experiment. We have to try out different things to see what works. Each day is an opportunity to learn from, assess and lead to change.

• General guidelines cannot replace intelligent self observations.

Where’s Kelly?

“God gave his hardest battles to his toughest

soldiers,” and the diabetic community is one

amazing group to be part of!

Kelly@KellySchmidtRD.com

@DiabeticDietitian