Unlock the power of nutrition in managing and preventing diabetes with our comprehensive Food as Medicine class. Guided by research nurse Keri Whitaker of the AdventHealth Diabetes Institute and Allison Harrell, Registered Dietitian and Culinary Medicine Specialist, this class delves into the critical connection between diet and blood sugar control. You’ll learn how to create balanced, low-glycemic meals that help stabilize blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and support overall metabolic health.
(A note: the brownie recipe can be made vegan by substituting the egg, butter, and chocolate chips for vegan alternatives.)
This hands-on class combines the latest in nutritional science with practical culinary skills, empowering you to make informed food choices that can transform your health. Whether you’re living with diabetes, prediabetes, or simply looking to enhance your knowledge, this session will provide you with valuable tools and delicious recipes to support a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.
About the Presenters:
Allison Harrell is a registered dietitian nutritionist and plant-based chef who has been passionate about food and nutrition for more than 20 years. She advanced her knowledge by becoming a certified Culinary Medicine Specialist, certified in Weight Loss Management. Harrell believes that every time we eat, it is an opportunity to promote our health. She incorporates culinary experiences with a science-based approach. Her programs and tools make a positive difference in the health of our communities by instilling confidence and knowledge in the kitchen.
Keri Whitaker is a research nurse at the Translational Research Institute and is based out of the AdventHealth Diabetes Institute. She works to get people 18+ into diabetes research trials. “I’m spending a lot of time just talking to them, finding out more about how they live, how they treat their diabetes, how they’ve lived with their diabetes. I’ve got patients who have had diabetes for 65 years, so I’m learning stuff from them too.”
Not only does she educate patients about medication and device studies, but she’s also a firm believer in signing herself up. “I do every chance I get.” From questionnaires to giving blood samples to testing Dexcom patches, Keri believes it’s all important. “I wouldn’t be where I am today as a diabetic person if there wasn’t research.”
