Do food labels confuse you? You are not alone!

In this episode of Think Like a Pancreas — The Podcast, Registered Dietitians Jennifer Smith (CDCES) and Dana Roseman cut through the marketing noise to help people with diabetes make smarter, more informed food choices.

Learn what FDA-regulated terms like sugar-free and reduced sugar really mean, as well as which label claims are pure marketing gimmicks. From keto-friendly to naturally sweetened, not everything on the package means what you think it does.

Dana Roseman, MPH, CDCES, RDN, LDN, is the Director of Technology and Applied Research for Integrated Diabetes Services. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, she has spent nearly 20 years improving diabetes care through technology, research, and patient education—including expertise with insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors, and hybrid closed-loop systems.

Jennifer Smith, RD, LD, CDCES is the Director of Lifestyle and Nutrition for Integrated Diabetes Services. She is renowned for her expertise in nutrition, diabetes education, and athletic performance. Having lived with type 1 diabetes since childhood, Jennifer offers unique insight into day-to-day diabetes management, pregnancy, sports nutrition, and technology integration.

✔️”Low sugar” is a marketing term and can mean whatever the manufacturer wishes.

✔️If you are injecting insulin, you cannot just take a “net carb” approach to dosing.

✔️ Don’t eat what you can’t pronounce.

✔️ Switching to whole foods can change your insulin-to-carb ratios.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

02:08 Added sugar. No Sugar. Natural Sugar. What do they mean?

06:25 What to look for on a label

10:55 If you don’t recognize it as food on a label, maybe you shouldn’t eat it

11:36 There is a time and a place for artificial sweeteners

13:19 Where to begin making healthier choices

14:38 Allulose and alternate sweeteners

18:29 What to watch out for on food labels.

22:09 “The” Nutrition Plan that you should follow

🔵Website: integrateddiabetes.com

🔵 Follow on Social Media: @integrated_diabetes_services and @ integrateddiabetesservices on Facebook

🔵To work with the Integrated Diabetes Services Team , visit https://integrateddiabetes.com/appointments/   or email [email protected]

If the podcast has helped you to live better with diabetes, please tell someone else how to find it! If you have a question, take a moment and ask! We reply to everyone. And then be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform to ensure that you never miss an episode!

Disclaimer

The information contained in this program is based on the experience and opinions of the Integrated Diabetes Services clinical team. Please discuss any changes to your treatment plan with your personal healthcare provider before implementing.