Prediabetes and The Path to Better A1C: Blood Sugar, Energy, Brain Focus & Insulin Resistance

Prediabetes and The Path to Better A1C: Blood Sugar, Energy, Brain Focus & Insulin Resistance

By Jenny Pena, NBC-HWCHealth & Fitness
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Prediabetes and The Path to Better A1C: Blood Sugar, Energy, Brain Focus & Insulin Resistance episodes

  • Ep 48: Are You at Risk? Key Risk Factors for Prediabetes and Diabetes

    More than 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. has prediabetes —and most don’t know it. In this special World Diabetes Day episode, Coach Jenny PeƱa, NBC-HWC, explains what this global awareness day means and breaks down the key risk factors for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.


    You’ll hear current CDC and WHO stats, how lifestyle shifts make a difference, and simple ways to start taking action today.

    • What World Diabetes Day is and why it matters

    • The main risk factors for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes

    • Why awareness is the first step toward prevention

    • How small, realistic changes can cut your risk by more than 50 percent

    • 3 common myths that keep people stuck

    šŸ“˜ Prediabetes Roadmap Guide — Understand your labs and take clear next steps → https://subscribepage.io/starterguide

    šŸ½ļø 5-Day Reset — Your self-paced kick-start to balanced blood sugar and energy → https://subscribepage.io/energy
    Reset is just $19 through November.


    Listen to episode 36 to learn more about how a 5 day reset can help - https://open.spotify.com/episode/42Lf9eOMemVLh9w37vnfpO?si=4fd6ef919efe4280

    šŸ”— Connect with Jenny🌐 Website | šŸ“ø Instagram @coachjenp | šŸ’¼ LinkedIn | ā–¶ļø YouTube @coachjenp


    18 min
  • Ep 47: Spotting Early Signs of Prediabetes and Blood Sugar Imbalance

    Episode 47: Spotting Early Signs of Prediabetes and Blood Sugar Imbalance

    More than 80% of people with prediabetes don’t even know they have it. In this episode, Jenny PeƱa, NBC-HWC, shares the everyday red flags you should watch for and the 3 lab tests to ask your doctor about during Diabetes Prevention Month.

    You’ll learn:

    • Common early signs of prediabetes (energy crashes, cravings, belly weight, fatigue)

    • The 3 lab tests doctors use (A1C, fasting glucose, OGTT)

    • Why prediabetes is an opportunity to act, not a guarantee

    šŸ’” Free Resource: Grab your Prediabetes Starter Guide → https://subscribepage.io/starterguide

    ✨ November Special: My 5-Day Sugar Fix Reset is just $19 (regular $27) this month → https://subscribepage.io/energy

    šŸ“… Live Workshop Schedule (Diabetes Prevention Month)

    Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjenp7

    ā–¶ļø YouTube:⁠ @coachjenp

    • LinkedIn Live — Thu Nov 13 @ 5pm EST
    • YouTube Live — Fri Nov 14 @ 8am EST (World Diabetes Day)

    • YouTube Live — Sat Nov 15 @ 12 noon EST

    • LinkedIn Live — Mon Nov 17 @ 1pm EST

    • Interactive Zoom Workshop — Sat Nov 22 @ 11am EST (register at https://www.jennypena.com/workshop)

      šŸ”— Connect with Jenny:

    🌐 Website: jennypena.com

    šŸŽ™ Podcast: Path to Better A1C on Spotify

    šŸ“§ Email: [email protected]

    šŸ“ø Instagram: @coachjenp

    ā–¶ļø YouTube: @coachjenp

    šŸ“˜ Facebook: Jen P. Coaching, LLC

    14 min
  • Ep 46 - Halloween Special - Candy without the Crash

    Halloween Special: Candy Without the Crash

    Halloween candy doesn’t have to mean guilt, crashes, or losing control. In this special episode of The Path to Better A1C, Jenny PeƱa, NBC-HWC, shares how to enjoy sweets intentionally during candy season. Learn why candy is so tempting, how to reframe the way you think about it, and practical strategies for savoring treats without the blood sugar rollercoaster.

    This episode also wraps up the October Cravings Series — and sets the stage for Diabetes Awareness Month in November, where Jenny will be sharing new workshops and a free resource designed to help if you’re newly diagnosed with prediabetes.

    ✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

    • Why candy triggers cravings and crashes

    • How to enjoy candy without the guilt cycle

    • Practical tips for navigating Halloween season

    • A teaser for November’s focus on Diabetes Awareness Month

    šŸŽ Free Resources:

    • Blood Sugar Balancing Snacks List: https://www.subscribepage.io/snacks

    • Prediabetes Starter Guide (new):https://www.subscribepage.io/starterguide

    šŸ”— Connect with Jenny:

    Website: https://www.jennypena.com

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/coachjenp

    YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@coachjenp

    15 min
  • Ep 45 — Emotional Eating & the 3PM Slump

    Emotional Eating & the 3PM Slump

    Stress, boredom, sadness, or that mid-afternoon crash — these are some of the most common triggers for cravings. In this episode of The Path to Better A1C, Jenny PeƱa, NBC-HWC, explores emotional eating and the 3 p.m. slump. Learn why these cravings happen, what your body is really asking for, and how to start responding with awareness instead of autopilot.

    This is the fourth part of our October Cravings Series.

    ✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

    • Why emotional eating happens (and why it works… briefly)

    • The science behind the 3 p.m. energy crash

    • Simple tools to pause, reflect, and respond differently

    • How to build awareness instead of guilt around cravings
      šŸŽ Free Resource: Download your Blood Sugar Balancing Snacks List to help you respond to real hunger with steady, satisfying options.

    šŸ‘‰ Get it here: https://www.subscribepage.io/snacks

    šŸ”— Connect with Jenny: Website: https://www.jennypena.com

    Ā Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/coachjenp

    Ā YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@coachjenp

    15 min
  • Ep 44 — Hunger vs. Habit: How to Tell the Difference

    Hunger vs. Habit: How to Tell the Difference

    Are you eating because you’re truly hungry — or just out of routine? In this episode of The Path to Better A1C, Jenny PeƱa, NBC-HWC, unpacks the subtle but powerful difference between hunger and habit. You’ll learn how to recognize the signals, break out of autopilot eating, and make more intentional choices for your blood sugar and energy.

    This is the third part of our October Cravings Series, following Cravings Explained and Decoding Your Cravings.

    ✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

    • The key signs of true physical hunger

    • How habit cravings form and why they’re so strong

    • Simple tools like the ā€œpause testā€ and ā€œapple testā€ to tell the difference

    • How to move from autopilot eating to intentional eating

    šŸŽ Free Resource: Download your Blood Sugar Balancing Snacks List to help you respond to real hunger with steady, satisfying options.

    šŸ‘‰ Get it here: https://www.subscribepage.io/snacks

    šŸ”— Connect with Jenny:

    Website: https://www.jennypena.com

    Ā Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/coachjenp

    Ā YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@coachjenp

    11 min
  • Ep 43 — Decoding Your Cravings: Sweet Tooth or Salty Snacker?

    Why do some days call for chocolate and others for chips? In this episode of The Path to Better A1C, Jenny PeƱa, NBC-HWC, helps you decode your cravings. Learn what sweet vs. salty cravings might really signal — from blood sugar dips and serotonin shifts to hydration, stress, and even hormonal changes.

    ✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

    • Why sweet cravings often mean more than just a sweet tooth

    • What salty cravings reveal about stress, electrolytes, or hydration

    • How craving both at once is actually a signal, not a flaw

    • Simple ways to respond with curiosity (not guilt)

    šŸŽ Free Resource: Download your Blood Sugar Balancing Snacks List for quick, satisfying snack ideas that keep your A1C steady — from Greek yogurt with berries to roasted chickpeas to dark chocolate with almonds.

    šŸ‘‰ Get it here: https://www.subscribepage.io/snacks

    šŸ”— Connect with Jenny: Website: https://www.jennypena.com

    Ā Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/coachjenp

    Ā YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@coachjenp

    17 min
  • Ep 42 - Cravings Explained: What Your Brain (and Biology) Are Really Telling You

    Episode 42 - Cravings Explained: What Your Brain (and Biology) Are Really Telling You

    Why do we crave certain foods — even when we’re not hungry? In this episode, Jenny PeƱa, NBC-HWC, breaks down the fascinating science behind food cravings. From hormones and brain chemistry to emotions, environment, and even lack of sleep, you’ll learn why cravings are so powerful — and why they’re not a sign of weakness.

    This is the kickoff to our October Cravings Series — where we’ll explore sugar vs. salt cravings, hunger vs. habit, emotional eating, and even how to enjoy Halloween candy without the crash.

    ✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

    • The difference between hunger, appetite, and cravings

    • How hormones, brain pathways, and blood sugar dips fuel cravings

    • Emotional and environmental triggers (stress, boredom, ads, social influence)

    • Lifestyle factors that make cravings louder — like sleep and hydration

    šŸŽ Free Resource

    Download your Blood Sugar Balancing Snacks List for quick, satisfying snack ideas that keep your A1C steady — from Greek yogurt with berries to roasted chickpeas to dark chocolate with almonds.

    šŸ‘‰ Get it here: https://www.subscribepage.io/snacks

    šŸ”— Connect with Jenny:

    Website: https://www.jennypena.com

    Ā Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/coachjenp

    Ā YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@coachjenp

    15 min
  • Ep 41: Fiber vs. Processed Foods — The Missing Link for Blood Sugar, A1C & Prediabetes

    Most people know processed foods aren’t the healthiest choice — but did you know one of the biggest reasons is because they’re missing fiber?

    In this final episode of our September fiber series, I break down:

    • How food companies strip fiber out of processed foods

    • The impact of fiber loss on blood sugar, A1C, and prediabetes

    • Why ultra-processed foods drive cravings and overeating

    • Simple fiber-rich swaps to add back into your meals

    • The big-picture reason why fiber is the missing link for better health

    By the end, you’ll see how adding more fiber back into your daily meals can lower inflammation, stabilize blood sugar, support weight management, and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.

    ✨ Final Call: Registration closes September 30th for the Full Plate Living 8-Week Program!
    This group coaching program is designed to help you add more fiber-rich foods into your life in a simple, sustainable way.

    āœ”ļø Live sessions every Friday at 12 noon ETāœ”ļø Electronic program materials includedāœ”ļø Physical workbook available on Amazon for purchaseāœ”ļø Just $197 for the full 8 weeks

    šŸ‘‰ Learn more & register here: https://subscribepage.io/fiber

    šŸ“ŗ Missed the Orientation Session? Watch the replay on YouTube — it’s pinned at the top of my channel: https://www.youtube.com/@coachjenp

    šŸ”— Connect with Coach Jenny PeƱa, NBC-HWC

    • Free Resource: ā€œDinner, Solvedā€ – 5 Easy Meals That Keep Blood Sugar Steady → https://subscribepage.io/dinnersolved

    • Website: https://www.jennypena.com

    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachjenp

    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachjenp

    • Apple Podcast: Path to Better A1C

    • Book a Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/coachjenp7/call

    13 min
  • Ep 40: Fiber & Gut Health — Improve Digestion, Blood Sugar & Prediabetes

    Most people know fiber is good for digestion — but did you know it can also shape your gut microbiome, calm inflammation, reduce cravings, and support steadier blood sugar and A1C?

    In today’s episode, I break down:

    • Soluble vs. insoluble fiber: which helps with constipation vs. which is gentler for IBS

    • How fiber feeds your gut microbes and protects your gut lining

    • Why fiber is essential for prediabetes and insulin resistance

    • The link between fiber, cravings, and more stable blood sugar control

    • One simple fiber upgrade you can try today

    By the end, you’ll see fiber as a daily tool for better gut health and better blood sugar — helping you take control of prediabetes and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.

    ✨ Registration is open for the Full Plate Living 8-Week Program!
    This group coaching program is designed to help you add more fiber-rich foods into your life in a simple, sustainable way.

    āœ”ļø Live sessions every Friday at 12 noon ETāœ”ļø Electronic program materials includedāœ”ļø Physical workbook available on Amazon for purchaseāœ”ļø Just $197 for the full 8 weeks

    šŸ‘‰ Learn more & register here: https://subscribepage.io/fiber

    šŸ“ŗ Don’t miss the Orientation Session on September 20th — streaming on YouTube! It’s pinned at the top of my channel for easy access.

    šŸ”— Connect with Coach Jenny PeƱa, NBC-HWC

    • Free Resource: ā€œDinner, Solvedā€ – 5 Easy Meals That Keep Blood Sugar Steady → https://subscribepage.io/dinnersolved

    • Website: https://www.jennypena.com

    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachjenp

    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachjenp

    • Apple Podcast: Path to Better A1C

    • Book a Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/coachjenp7/call

    13 min
  • Ep:39 Fiber & Inflammation: Why It Matters for Prediabetes

    Most people know fiber is good for digestion — but did you know it’s also one of the most powerful tools we have to calm inflammation, balance blood sugar, and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes?

    In today’s episode, I break down:

    • What inflammation really is (and why chronic inflammation is dangerous)

    • How it connects to insulin resistance and prediabetes

    • The science-backed ways fiber helps reduce inflammation

    • Other anti-inflammatory foods you can add to your plate

    • One simple fiber tip you can try today

    By the end, you’ll see fiber in a whole new light — not just as ā€œroughage,ā€ but as a key to better blood sugar and long-term health.

    ✨ Registration is open for the Full Plate Living 8-Week Program! This group coaching program is designed to help you add more fiber-rich foods into your life in a simple, sustainable way.

    āœ”ļø Live sessions every Friday at 12 noon ETāœ”ļø Electronic program materials includedāœ”ļø Physical workbook available on Amazon for purchaseāœ”ļø Just $197 for the full 8 weeks

    šŸ‘‰ Learn more & register here: ttps://subscribepage.io/fiber

    šŸ“ŗ Don’t miss the Orientation Session on September 20th — streaming on YouTube! It’s pinned at the top of my channel for easy access.


    Connect with Coach Jenny Pena, NBC-HWC: Free Resource: ā€œDinner, Solvedā€ – 5 Easy Meals That Keep Blood Sugar Steady -Ā Ā https://subscribepage.io/dinnersolvedVisit My Website: ⁠⁠https://www.jennypena.com⁠⁠ Follow me on Instagram: ⁠⁠ @coachjenp⁠  

    Subscribe to my YouTube Channel:@coachjenp

    Book a Free Clarity Call: ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/coachjenp7/call

    11 min

About Prediabetes and The Path to Better A1C: Blood Sugar, Energy, Brain Focus & Insulin Resistance

From the publisher's feed

Struggling with prediabetes, high A1C, insulin resistance, cravings, brain fog, or low energy? Join Jenny Pena, NBC-HWC, for practical, science-backed strategies to improve blood sugar, lower A1C, reduce cravings, and prevent type 2 diabetes without extreme diets.

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