37. In The Kitchen with Diabetes Canada

More than four million people in Canada are living with diabetes and one of the most common questions after a diagnosis is also one of the most confusing: What am I actually supposed to eat? Between social media nutrition advice, restrictive diets, conflicting messages about carbohydrates, and the growing use of medications like GLP-1s, figuring out what belongs on your plate can feel complicated. In this episode of The Doc Talk, we're joined by Mairlyn Smith, Professional Home Economist, award-winning cookbook author and host of In The Kitchen with Diabetes Canada, and Cayla Runka, Registered Dietitian and Manager of Knowledge and Connection at Diabetes Canada. Together, they cut through some of the noise around food and diabetes and talk about what sustainable, enjoyable eating can actually look like. In The Kitchen with Diabetes Canada Mairlyn also gives us a look inside In The Kitchen with Diabetes Canada, a free, live four-week virtual cooking and nutrition series running this fall. Participants can cook along, learn practical strategies for preparing balanced meals, and have nutrition questions answered by experts in real time. Find the program at diabetes.ca/inthekitchen. You can also find Diabetes Canada's free handy portion guide and balanced plate resources, their online community Diabetes Canada Connect, and their virtual diabetes education program at diabetes.ca. Our Prescription for Health Managing diabetes doesn't mean eating perfectly or abandoning the foods that matter to you. Start with sustainable changes to your overall eating pattern, build meals around balance, protein and fibre, and look for ways to adapt the foods you already know and love. For healthcare professionals: when starting someone on a GLP-1 medication, consider pairing the medication conversation with practical nutrition guidance rather than simply advising them to "eat less." And when patients need more education and support than can fit into a clinic visit, Diabetes Canada's free programs can be useful resources to have on hand. This episode is brought to you by Diabetes Canada. Resources: Diabetes Canada: diabetes.ca In The Kitchen with Diabetes Canada: diabetes.ca/inthekitchen Virtual Diabetes Education Program: diabetes.ca/VDEP In this episode, we discuss: Why nutrition misinformation around diabetes is so common Where to start if you've just been diagnosed with diabetes Why diabetes management is about your overall eating pattern, not one individual food or meal Nutrition considerations for people taking GLP-1 medications, including getting enough protein and fibre as appetite and portions decrease Why you don't have to give up your favourite cultural or family foods Why healthy cooking can feel difficult, and ways to make it more realistic Practical, trustworthy resources for people living with diabetes and the healthcare professionals supporting them Disclaimer: The Doc Talk is for general information purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor. While we are doctors, we are not your doctor. Always speak with your own healthcare provider about questions related to your personal health needs.