The Diabetes and Nutrition Education Center works in partnership with area physicians to provide quality Diabetes Self-Management Training and Medical Nutrition Therapy for people with diabetes and other nutrition-related medical conditions.

Diabetes Education:
Diabetes affects more than 24 million Americans, many of whom aren't aware they have the disease until symptoms begin affecting them.  Diabetes is a chronic illness that impairs the body's ability to convert food into energy.  This disease can affect every major organ in  the body and lead to blindness, stroke, heart problems and more.

The Diabetes & Nutrition Education Center at St. Mary's Healthcare is an American Diabetes Association recognized education program that provides comprehensive Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) to our participants. Expert education is provided by our Certified Diabetes Educator/Registered Dietitian, providing one-on-one sessions for persons with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and pre-diabetes.

Comprehensive diabetes education is an ongoing process, providing the person with diabetes the knowledge and skill to help manage diabetes on their own. Throughout the program, individuals will set goals, which will be monitored and evaluated at each session.
The Diabetes and Nutrition Education Center also has a diabetes support group "Diabetes Busters" that meets monthly. Even if you're not participating in our program, and either you or your loved one has diabetes, you are welcome to attend these meetings. To learn more about Diabetes Busters group, please call 518-841-3717.

What Will You Learn?
Classes consist of four one-on-one sessions:

1. What is Diabetes and How Do I Manage It? This class includes learning about the different types of diabetes, how to monitor your blood sugars, goal blood glucose readings, and different types of diabetes medications, and managing sick days.
   
2. Nutrition A -Z: Carbohydrate Counting, Heart healthy Nutrition and more. Our Registered Dietitian will work one-on-one with you to develop a personalized nutrition plan.
   
3. Preventing Complications, Exercise and Stress Management. Keeping your blood sugars controlled is just one way to prevent the onset of diabetes complications, but you will also learn other recommendations that are key to prevention. You will also learn the role of exercise and stress on diabetes management.
   
4. Keeping Your Diabetes in Check: A comprehensive overview of all the information you learned in the previous sessions.
   

Three months after you have finished the program, you will have a follow up visit scheduled with the Certified Diabetes Educator/Registered Dietitian to evaluate your goals/progress.

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT):  

The Diabetes and Nutrition Education Center also offers nutrition education provided by nutrition experts, who are Registered Dietitians. Medical Nutrition Therapy is an integral part of managing your overall health and well-being. We provide nutrition education and counseling to people of all ages with a multitude of medical nutrition therapy needs including: weight management for adults, teens, and children, cardiovascular health, cholesterol management, hypertension, food allergy and intolerance (example: Celiac Disease and Gluten free diet), digestive disorders, and general nutrition and wellness.

Contact Us
If you would like more information about either our Diabetes Education or Medical Nutrition Therapy program, want to make an appointment, or you just have general nutrition/diabetes questions, please contact The Diabetes and Nutrition Education Center at 841-3717.

Download our brochure: Diabetes and Nutrition Education Center Brochure