Ep. 5: Diet Soda Myths: Blood Sugar, Insulin & the Truth About Aspartame

Ep. 5: Diet Soda Myths: Blood Sugar, Insulin & the Truth About Aspartame

In this episode of Simplifying Diabetes, we're unpacking one of the most controversial—and misunderstood—topics in nutrition: diet soda. After a recent viral post, I received thousands of comments ranging from genuine questions to strong accusations—everything from "this spikes insulin" to "you must be getting paid by soda companies." So let's talk about it. As a registered dietitian and diabetes educator, I'm breaking down what the research actually says about diet soda, aspartame, blood sugar, insulin response, and cancer risk—without fear-mongering or oversimplification. We'll cover: * Does diet soda raise blood sugar or insulin? * What the World Health Organization and International Agency for Research on Cancer actually said about aspartame * What "Acceptable Daily Intake" (ADI) really means—and how much diet soda you'd need to drink to reach it * Common myths like "it turns into formaldehyde" and "it causes weight gain" * And why food fear—not diet soda—is often the bigger issue This episode is about more than just soda. It's about challenging nutrition misinformation, removing unnecessary food rules, and helping you make informed, sustainable choices—without guilt. You don't have to drink diet soda. But you also don't have to fear it. Click Here to Follow Kristie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/type2diabetes.nutritionist?igsh=bnV5cG1jMXVyeW1o&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/type2diabetes.nutritionist?igsh=bnV5cG1jMXVyeW1o&utm_source=qr] Click Here to Grab Kristie's Free Masterclass https://wandering-resonance-183.myflodesk.com/wvnwbjnk20 [https://wandering-resonance-183.myflodesk.com/wvnwbjnk20] Click Here to View this Post https://www.instagram.com/p/DWmUU5ZGgcS/?igsh=MWpja2ZjbTBzNXR4Zw== [https://www.instagram.com/p/DWmUU5ZGgcS/?igsh=MWpja2ZjbTBzNXR4Zw==]

Ep. 4: From Spikes to Stability: Strength Training for Better Glucose Control

If your blood sugar still feels unpredictable—even when you're "doing everything right" with food—this might be the missing piece. In this episode, I'm joined by Emily, a personal trainer, and we're breaking down exactly how strength training impacts your blood sugar… during your workout, after your workout, and long-term. We get specific about: • Why muscle is one of the most powerful tools for improving insulin sensitivity • What's actually happening to your blood sugar when you lift weights (and why it's different from cardio) • How to prevent spikes and crashes around your workouts • The biggest mistakes people with diabetes make when starting strength training • A simple, realistic way to get started (even if you've never lifted before) If you've ever felt frustrated trying to "exercise for blood sugar control" without clear results—this episode will connect the dots. And if you're ready to actually implement this with guidance… We're hosting a live 4-day experience: Sweat Your Diagnosis (May 11–14) For just $9, we'll walk you through: Exactly how to structure your workouts for better blood sugar What to eat before and after to prevent spikes/crashes How to build consistency without burnout This is where you stop overthinking and start seeing results. Click Here to Follow Kristie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/type2diabetes.nutritionist?igsh=bnV5cG1jMXVyeW1o&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/type2diabetes.nutritionist?igsh=bnV5cG1jMXVyeW1o&utm_source=qr] Click Here to Follow Emily on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/emilysopo?igsh=ZmFnMG5vazRibXo0 [https://www.instagram.com/emilysopo?igsh=ZmFnMG5vazRibXo0] Click Here to Join the Don't Sweat Your Diagnosis Challenge for $9: https://wandering-resonance-183.myflodesk.com/gmwryvn37k [https://wandering-resonance-183.myflodesk.com/gmwryvn37k]

Ep. 3: 5 Ways You're Overcomplicating Your Diabetes Management

If managing your diabetes feels overwhelming… this episode is for you. In this episode of Simplifying Diabetes, we're breaking down the 5 ways you might be overcomplicating your diabetes management—and why doing more isn't always the answer. Because here's the truth: Most people aren't struggling because they're not trying hard enough… They're struggling because they're trying to do too much, all at once. After helping hundreds of people lower their blood sugar and A1C, I've seen the same patterns come up again and again—and today, we're diving into them. You'll learn: * Why overhauling your entire lifestyle is setting you up for burnout * How reacting to every blood sugar number is keeping you stuck * The impact of stress, sleep, and daily life on your glucose (it's not just food) * Why social media advice might be confusing your progress * And how to simplify your approach so it actually works I also share a personal story from when I wore a continuous glucose monitor in clinical—and what it taught me about how unpredictable blood sugar can really be. If you've ever felt like: * "I'm doing everything right, but my numbers don't make sense" * "I feel overwhelmed trying to manage this" * Or "I don't even know what to focus on anymore" This episode will help you take a step back, simplify, and move forward with clarity. Because managing your diabetes shouldn't take over your life—it should fit into it. Click Here to Follow Kristie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/type2diabetes.nutritionist?igsh=bnV5cG1jMXVyeW1o&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/type2diabetes.nutritionist?igsh=bnV5cG1jMXVyeW1o&utm_source=qr] Click Here to Grab Kristie's Free Masterclass https://wandering-resonance-183.myflodesk.com/wvnwbjnk20 [https://wandering-resonance-183.myflodesk.com/wvnwbjnk20]

Ep. 2: Your Fast Track to Better Blood Sugars: Stop Guessing and Start Seeing Results

Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice about managing blood sugar? In this episode of Simplifying Diabetes, I break down the fastest, simplest ways to improve your numbers—without cutting out all carbs or giving up your favorite foods. We'll cover: * Why tracking your patterns is the first step to control * How to build balanced meals that actually stabilize blood sugar * Why consistency beats perfection every time * How to adjust favorite foods instead of eliminating them * Using your numbers as data, not judgment I also bust the biggest myths that keep people stuck, including low-carb extremes, "white foods are evil," and "diabetes is reversible with one trick." By the end of this episode, you'll have practical, science-backed strategies to start lowering your blood sugar, feel more confident, and stop guessing what works. Click Here to Follow Kristie on Instagram Click Here to Grab Kristie's Free Masterclass Links for the Above: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/type2diabetes.nutritionist?igsh=bnV5cG1jMXVyeW1o&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/type2diabetes.nutritionist?igsh=bnV5cG1jMXVyeW1o&utm_source=qr] Masterclass: Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice about managing blood sugar? In this episode of Simplifying Diabetes, I break down the fastest, simplest ways to improve your numbers—without cutting out all carbs or giving up your favorite foods. We'll cover: * Why tracking your patterns is the first step to control * How to build balanced meals that actually stabilize blood sugar * Why consistency beats perfection every time * How to adjust favorite foods instead of eliminating them * Using your numbers as data, not judgment I also bust the biggest myths that keep people stuck, including low-carb extremes, "white foods are evil," and "diabetes is reversible with one trick." By the end of this episode, you'll have practical, science-backed strategies to start lowering your blood sugar, feel more confident, and stop guessing what works. Click Here to Follow Kristie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/type2diabetes.nutritionist?igsh=bnV5cG1jMXVyeW1o&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/type2diabetes.nutritionist?igsh=bnV5cG1jMXVyeW1o&utm_source=qr] Masterclass: 7 wandering-resonance-183.myflodesk.com [https://wandering-resonance-183.myflodesk.com/wvnwbjnk20]

Ep. 1: Welcome to Simplifying Diabetes: What You've Been Told Wrong About Blood Sugar

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, confused, or like you're constantly doing something wrong when it comes to your blood sugar… this episode is for you. In this first episode of Simplifying Diabetes, I'm sharing my story—how I became a dietitian, what I learned working in diabetes care, and the personal experiences that completely changed how I approach health and blood sugar management. More importantly, we're starting to cut through the noise. Because the truth is, most people don't need more information—they need the right information and a way to actually apply it to their life. In this episode, we cover: * Why diabetes feels so confusing (and why it's not your fault) * The biggest misconceptions about blood sugar management * The truth about carbs and why you don't need to cut them out * The difference between diabetes "reversal" and remission * Why eliminating "white foods" isn't the solution * What you actually need to focus on to feel in control If you're tired of guessing and ready to feel more confident managing your blood sugar, you're in the right place. Click Here to Follow Kristie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/type2diabetes.nutritionist?igsh=bnV5cG1jMXVyeW1o&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/type2diabetes.nutritionist?igsh=bnV5cG1jMXVyeW1o&utm_source=qr] Click Here to Grab Kristie's Free Masterclass https://wandering-resonance-183.myflodesk.com/wvnwbjnk20