UCI Health

Diabetes Support Group

Katie Rankell, RD, CDE

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About Me
• Registered dietitian
• Certified diabetes educator
• Program director at UCI Health Weight
Management Program

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34.2 Million
Americans have diabetes

1.5 Million
Americans are diagnosed each year

10.5%
Of the US has diabetes

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1 Types of Diabetes

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Type 1 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes

Prediabetes

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Type 1 Diabetes
• 5- 10% of diagnosed cases in the US
• Caused by the autoimmune destruction of
pancreatic cells
• Results in a deficiency of insulin
• Daily exogenous insulin injections
• Typically diagnosed in people under the
age of 30

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“ Type 2 Diabetes
• 90- 95% of diagnosed cases in the US
• Results from a lack of insulin or resistance to
insulin
• Controlled through healthy eating, exercise,
medication or insulin
• Diagnoses amongst younger populations are
increasing

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Gestational Diabetes (GDM)
• Diagnosed in the second or third trimester of
pregnancy
• 6- 9% of pregnant women develop GDM
• A result of hormonal changes
• Work with a doctor to find a treatment plan
and maintain a healthy pregnancy

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Prediabetes
• When blood sugars are too high to be
considered normal but not high enough
to classify as diabetes
• More than 1-in-3 adults have prediabetes
• Moderate lifestyle changes can help
normalize blood sugars and reduce
diabetes risk

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2 Diabetes Risk Factors

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Diabetes Risk Factors
• Age • History of gestational diabetes

• Family history • PCOS

• Environmental factors • High blood pressure

• Physical inactivity • Abnormal blood cholesterol

and triglyceride levels
• Race or ethnicity

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3 Managing Diabetes

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Managing Diabetes

Physical Activity Healthy Eating Medication Use

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Physical Activity
• During physical activity, your cells become
more sensitive to insulin and work more
efficiently
• Try to space out activity throughout the
week
• No more than two consecutive days with no
physical activity

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150 minutes of moderate 75 minutes of vigorous Muscle strength training on
activity activity 2 or more days that works
major muscle groups
• Brisk walking • Running
• Legs & hips
• Gardening OR • Jogging AND
• Back
• Dancing • Swimming
• Abdomen
• Moving a lawn mower • Cycling with inclines
• Shoulders & arms
• Biking with no incline • Playing basketball
• Chest
• Water aerobics • Playing singles tennis

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Healthy Eating
• Eating well is important in the management
of diabetes
• Balance is key
• All food groups are important for health
• Work with your dietitian to find the right
balance of macronutrients for you

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Diabetes Plate Method

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 VS

Cauliflower Spanish Rice- 1 cup White Rice- 1 cup

● 107 calories ● 240 calories
● 15g carbohydrates ● 45g carbohydrates

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Recent Research Says. . .
• Choose quality carbohydrates
• Rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals
• Low in added sugars, fats, and sodium
• Vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains

• Emphasize non-starchy vegetables

• Minimize refined grains and added sugars
• Choose whole foods over highly processed foods

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4 Using a Glucometer

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Using a Glucometer
Step 1. Wash your hands Step 2. Prepare a new Step 3. Stick your finger
with warm soap and test with an unused test with the lancing device to
water or alcohol strip and clean lancet obtain a sample

Step 4. Hold your finger Step 5. Reading your results

to the edge of the test ● Before a meal: 80-130 mg/dL
strip then wait for results ● 1-2 hours after the beginning of a meal: <180 mg/dL
to show

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Interpreting Results
• Write down your results
• Note factors that may affect your blood sugars
• Stress
• Activity
• Food
• Monitor trends of high or low sugars & relay
abnormal trends to your doctor

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Thank You
Katie Rankell, RD, CE
UCI Health Weight Management & Nutrition
krankell@hs.uci.edu (949)824-2857
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