NEW Vegans Needed at PennMed
A group of researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine are examining the differences in gut bacteria in vegans. This research can provide new information in the growing picture of how and why those on plant-based diets tend to have better health outcomes. If you have been vegan (on a plant-based diet) for at least six months, then you are likely eligible for this research study. The financial compensation for completing the study is $250. Participation in the study involves providing only stool, blood, urine, and breath samples while also filling out several diet questionnaires. If you are interested, please contact Erin Gilroy at egilroy@mail.med.upenn.edu or 215-746-4218. Tell her that you learned about the study through the Penn Vegan Society.

PCRM’s AADE Foundation Plant-Based Diet Scholarship
This scholarship is designed to recognize an educator who demonstrates knowledge of plant-based (vegan) nutrition, and its beneficial role in treating type 2 diabetes, and who has shared this information with people with diabetes under his/her care, resulting in nutritional behavior change and improvements in clinical markers. Apply (Scroll down to 2012 Scholarships) >

Literature Search: Recent and classic articles on the effect of vegan and vegetarian diets on type 2 diabetes (PDF)

The following resources help nurses, advanced practice nurses, and nurse practitioners demonstrate to patients how a low-fat, plant-based diet can prevent and reverse chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Please help advocate for healthy communities by sharing these tools with your personal and professional contacts. For additional information, please contact Caroline Trapp, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., B.C.-ADM, C.D.E., PCRM's director of diabetes education and care, ctrapp@pcrm.org, 202-686-2210. Join the PCRM Nurses Nutrition Network >

General Resources for Nurses

Vegetarian Starter Kit
Learn about the whys and hows of a healthier diet, the New Four Food Groups guidelines, practical tips for beginning a vegan diet, and delicious low-fat, no-cholesterol recipes. The Vegetarian Starter Kit is also available in Spanish: Guía de Iniciación una Dieta Vegetariana.

Power Plate
The colorful, user-friendly Power Plate graphic is based on current nutrition research showing that a vegan diet is the most nutrient-dense and helps prevent chronic diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. The graphic depicts a plate divided into four new food groups: fruits, grains, legumes, and vegetables. The Power Plate's interactive website includes information on disease-fighting vegan diets, and special sections for educators and health professionals.

Health Care Providers Information
Help your patients understand the links between healthy eating and good health. Find information on the risk factors, typical treatments, and nutritional considerations for dozens of medical conditions.

Continuing Education
Earn free online continuing education credits. Programs demonstrate how nutrition can be used for health promotion and prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.

Breaking Medical News
If there’s a hot nutrition report in the journals tomorrow, we’ll let you know about it today. This free e-mail briefing, but will help you stay abreast of the latest news in nutrition, medical research, and preventive medicine. To subscribe, join our online community.

Waiting Room Materials
These materials are especially useful in health care professionals' offices and at conferences.

PCRM Literature and Downloadable Fact Sheets
These materials will keep you informed on nutrition, health, and the ethics and effectiveness of research.

Diabetes Nurses

NEW PCRM/AADE Nutrition Education Scholarship Opportunity
This scholarship is designed to recognize an educator who demonstrates knowledge of plant-based (vegan) nutrition, and its beneficial role in treating type 2 diabetes, and who has shared this information with people with diabetes under his/her care, resulting in nutritional behavior change and improvements in clinical markers. Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page for details.

Diabetes Resources for Health Care Professionals
Find diabetes-related resources for your patients and practice.

Oncology Nurses

CancerProject.org
The Cancer Project promotes cancer prevention and survival through a better understanding of cancer causes, particularly the links between nutrition and cancer. Food for Life Nutrition and Cooking Classes help cancer survivors take advantage of the healing power of foods.

Cancer Project Literature and Downloadable Fact Sheets
Stay informed about the relationship between diet and cancer.

Pediatric Nurses

KidsGetHealthy.org
Help children and their families understand that lifelong good health starts with healthy eating. This site provides up-to-date health and nutrition information, advice on changing habits, and plenty of delicious recipes.

HealthySchoolLunches.org
Learn more about how improving the food served to children in schools promotes children’s current and long-term health.

Nutrition Nurse in Action

Want to be featured as a Nutrition Nurse in Action? Send your name, a short statement about your experience(s) with vegan nutrition and a picture to ctrapp@pcrm.org. Be sure to include your credentials, professional affiliation(s), and city/state, if you'd like them listed. Stand up and be counted as a nurse championing the cause of nutrition to prevent and treat chronic disease. Below, read about Nutrition Nurse in Action Jacquelin Deatcher, N.P., C.D.E.

Jacquelin Deatcher, N.P., C.D.E.

I have been advocating a plant based diet with my patients for several years, and I am thankful that the USDA has finally advocated this simpler approach to diet than the long-standing food pyramid(adoptingMyPlate). I do find that my patients who choose a well-planned plant-based diet have better blood glucose control and even more flexibility in the carb content of their diets, due to the low glycemic index of high fiber fruits and vegetables. Weight loss is also easier, which is important to the vast majority of type 2 patients, who are overweight. I have found it important to consider that just becausea patienthas type 1 diabetes, this does not protecthim or herfrom having insulin resistance issues. High fat foods, as Dr. Barnard has pointed out, cause insulin resistance; they are the "gum gunking up the works" whenthe proverbialkey (insulin) won't work inthe lock (cell "door"), for example. So a useful approach with my patients has becomeexploringthe relationship between blood glucose excursions and not just carb content (carb counting), but also carb quality (glycemic index) and fat content (high fat meals causing insulin resistance, resulting in higher BG levels even hours later). I have seen quite a few patients significantly decrease their need for insulin or oral medications (some even stopping them) by adopting this healthier way of eating.

I find PCRM's Vegetarian Starter Kit and Diet and Diabetes: Recipes for Success to be most useful; they give simple ideas to get started, with excellent recipe suggestions. Dr. Barnard's DVD has been very helpful as well, generating quite a bit of excitement in a number of my patients. Thank you PCRM!

Jacquelin Deatcher, N.P., C.D.E.
Independent practice in Diabetes Clinical Management and Self-Management Education
New York