Diabetes

Evidence-based care, without weight-centred or restrictive approaches

Living with diabetes often means receiving a great deal of advice about food — much of it focused on restriction, control, or weight loss. In my work, I meet many people with diabetes who feel overwhelmed, anxious around food, or worried they are “doing it wrong,” despite their best efforts.

I support people with diabetes using a weight-neutral, non-diet approach that prioritises nourishment, metabolic health, and quality of life — without prescribing weight loss as a treatment goal.

Diabetes and health — what we know

Diabetes is a complex condition influenced by many factors, including:

• Genetics and physiology

• Insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation

• Stress, sleep, and illness

• Medications

• Eating patterns and routines

While food plays an important role in diabetes management, research increasingly shows that:

• Weight is not a reliable marker of metabolic health

• Repeated dieting and weight cycling can worsen insulin resistance over time

• Fear-based or overly restrictive advice often undermines long-term self-care

In my experience, people do best when diabetes care supports consistency, flexibility, and understanding, rather than perfection or control.

Diabetes-related concerns I support

I work with people who have:

• Type 1 diabetes

• Type 2 diabetes

• Prediabetes or concerns about blood glucose

• Diabetes alongside eating disorders or disordered eating

• Long histories of dieting in the context of diabetes

• Anxiety, guilt, or confusion around food choices

Many people come to see me after years of being told to “just lose weight” or follow rigid plans that haven’t been sustainable. A key part of my role is helping people feel more confident and less fearful around food.

A weight-neutral approach to diabetes care

Because restrictive diets and weight-loss-focused strategies can:

• Increase food preoccupation and anxiety

• Trigger or worsen disordered eating

• Undermine long-term metabolic health

• Make diabetes management feel unsustainable

I do not prescribe weight loss or rigid eating plans as part of diabetes care.

Instead, diabetes-related nutrition support in my practice may focus on:

• Regular, adequate eating to support stable blood glucose

• Understanding how different foods affect your body

• Gentle attention to carbohydrate distribution without elimination

• Supporting energy levels and daily functioning

• Reducing guilt and anxiety around food choices

All strategies are individualised, flexible, and designed to work in real life, not just on paper.

Diabetes, dieting, and eating-disorder risk

People with diabetes — particularly those with Type 1 diabetes or long histories of dieting — are at increased risk of disordered eating.

For this reason, all diabetes care in my practice is eating-disorder-informed. I am careful to:

• Avoid moralising foods or blood glucose readings

• Reduce food fear and shame

• Support adequate nourishment

• Keep diabetes management from becoming all-consuming

Where someone has a history of disordered eating, this will always guide the language, pace, and focus of our work together.

How we work together

Diabetes-related nutrition support may include:

• A thorough assessment of eating patterns, routines, and blood-glucose management

• Education that builds understanding rather than fear

• Practical strategies to support glucose stability without restriction

• Support for navigating conflicting advice

• Collaboration with your GP, endocrinologist, or diabetes team where appropriate

The focus is on supporting metabolic health and quality of life — not achieving “perfect” numbers.

Is this the right fit?

This approach to diabetes may suit you if:

• You want support without being told to lose weight

• You feel anxious or overwhelmed by diabetes food rules

• You want evidence-based, compassionate care

• You value flexibility and sustainability

It may not be the right fit if you are seeking:

• Weight-loss-centred diabetes programs

• Highly restrictive eating plans

• Rigid rules that prioritise control over wellbeing

Diabetes management is demanding enough — nutrition care should make it clearer, calmer, and more sustainable, not harder. My approach to diabetes care is grounded in respect, nourishment, and long-term health, rather than weight control.

Diabetes support is offered within my broader Services, alongside weight-neutral care for eating concerns, gut health, PCOS, menopause, renal disease, and other chronic conditions.