Diabetes Educators Learn Vegan Approach

PCRM educated health care professionals about the benefits of a plant-based approach to treating diabetes at the American Association of Diabetes Educators annual meeting in San Antonio this August.

More than 500 diabetes educators attended PCRM’s screening of Forks Over Knives, the new documentary examining how most degenerative diseases can be controlled, or even reversed, by removing animal products from the diet.

Dr. Barnard’s research on how a vegan diet can prevent and reverse diabetes was presented in a poster session titled “Insulin Resistance and Diet: Effective Nutrition as First-Line Treatment.” PCRM director of diabetes education and care Caroline Trapp, M.S.N., C.D.E., presented on PCRM’s GEICO workplace weight-loss study and on reimbursement for vegan nutrition education. Brenda Davis, R.D., author of Becoming Vegan and Defeating Diabetes, discussed her experience helping people in the Marshall Islands manage their diabetes through healthy eating.

During the conference’s awards ceremony, PCRM presented the first PCRM/American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) Foundation award, the Plant-Based Nutrition Education Scholarship. The winner, Julie Mantis, R.N., M.S., manages the diabetes education program at Community Hospital in Crown Point, Ind. Ms. Mantis’ application essay explained how PCRM’s presentations at the 2009 AADE conference and the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart program helped her switch to a vegan diet and inspire her patients and co-workers. Ms. Mantis says she’s now a better athlete and can speak confidently about this healthy nutrition option with her patients.