How to Lower A1C Without Obsessive Calorie Counting (Expert Tips)

Are you tired of obsessing over every calorie, carb, and number on the scale? In this episode of The Diabetes Podcast, Amber and Richie sit down with Terri Chrisman, a board-certified nutritionist with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Terri breaks down the 6 Pillars of a Healthy Lifestyle and explains why daily habits matter far more than a single snapshot of your lab results.

We discuss how to transition to a plant-forward diet without giving up the foods you love, why the scale is lying to you about your health, and how to start exercising even if you've been on the couch for years. We also dive into the nuance of processed foods and how to navigate social situations and restaurants when you are trying to change your eating habits. Remember, it's not your fault, but it can be your fight!

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Find out more about our guest Terri Chrisman at fabuloushealth.net

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro & Meet Terri Chrisman
01:37 - Terri’s Journey to Lifestyle Medicine
04:05 - The 6 Pillars of a Healthy Lifestyle
06:09 - Why Nutrition is the #1 Pillar
09:05 - When Doing "Everything Right" Still Requires Medication
13:54 - Focus on Daily Habits, Not Just Lab Results
18:24 - Simple Ways to Track Your Health (No Calorie Counting!)
22:09 - Weight vs. Body Composition (Why the Scale Lies)
28:21 - The 3-Step Process to Changing Your Diet
30:34 - Why You Shouldn't Go From 0 to 100 (CrossFit Story)
35:20 - How to Start Exercising If You've Never Been Active
45:29 - Navigating Plant-Based Eating & Ultra-Processed Foods
51:26 - The Science on Red Meat & Heart Disease
01:01:00 - How to Eat Out on a Plant-Based Diet (The Happy Cow App)
01:08:31 - Where to Find Terri's Book "Fabulous Health"

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The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not replace a one-on-one relationship with your physician or qualified healthcare professional. Always talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or care team before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, supplement, exercise plan, or nutrition plan—especially if you have diabetes, prediabetes, heart, liver, or kidney conditions, or take prescription drugs like metformin or insulin.

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