Plant-based educators represent at ADCES 24
Year after year, we keep showing up at the diabetes education conference to prove how powerful of a solution plant-based nutrition is and —
Somebody’s got to do.
Patient representation matters, especially in a space where technology and pharmacology can drown out the voices of those who engage in lifestyle habits to improve their lives. We volunteer our voices for them.
I’ll tell you what, there is no city like New Orleans.
This was my fourth work-related journey to NOLA. Each with its own flavor of adventure and although I’m partial to a city that is loaded with history, there is just something about Love from Louisiana that puts Minnesota Nice to the test.
The blend of Southern hospitality mixed with French Quarter dance moves puts a huge smile on my face. (I must admit that the educators from Georgia were my favorite this year - IYKYK.)
Saturday
Jacinda Shapiro and I had one chance to inspire an audience of over 400 plant-curious professionals and I do believe we delivered. Standing room only is a good sign that a speaker is doing something right and we had quite the curious title: Summarize the Science of Plant-Based Nutrition: Evidence for Reversing Insulin Resistance.
The enthusiasm for our presentation carried over into the next morning at a live Q&A.
Meanwhile, Brenda Jagatic was representing her informative and strikingly well-done poster titled: Increase Your Comfort Addressing Erectile Dysfunction (ED), and how lifestyle choices play a pivotal role in improving and/or preventing ED. Check out this interview about Men’s Health with Brenda.
Sunday
I’m still in awe that anyone within 5 miles of the convention center was awake before 9 am and yet, a number of early birds showed up to listen and ask questions.
Jacinda and I were pleasantly surprised and delighted that the original plan for a 15 minute session turned into a 90 minute discussion. JUST WOW.
The questions put into perspective several gaps in nutrition education and how bygone advice is still circulating in a progressive space by all measures, except when it comes to plant-based nutrition.
5 items worth noting from ADCES 24:
Lifestyle habits will always be the most important part of living well with diabetes.
Diabetes educators are hungry for nutrition solutions that actually work long-term.
Change is hard. Even for the science-minded and evidence-based. We must keep showing up for what we believe in with patience and grace.
Diabetes is a big business and unfortunately, just another industry job to some folks.
I will spend the rest of my life working to change perspectives about the delivery of nutrition education in diabetes care.
And I won’t sit back waiting for someone else to do it.
See ya in ‘25, educators!
“The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.”
A good time was had by all. Thank you, New Orleans!