Diabetes Dietitian in Austin, TX

America’s Health Rankings reports that 13.9% of adult Texans — over 3 million people — have been diagnosed with diabetes. To help reduce these numbers, Doherty Nutrition offers counseling sessions that encourage nutritious eating habits and address emotional eating triggers, both of which play an important role in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

Our Registered Dietitians (RDs) provide guidance for the following forms of diabetes.

Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance or impaired insulin sensitivity occurs over time when cells fail to react to the hormone insulin. Produced by the pancreas, this crucial hormone regulates blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance causes glucose, also known as blood sugar, to be outside the cells, circulating in the body through the bloodstream. The pancreas tries to keep up by releasing more insulin to persuade the cells to respond. Yet, since there’s already plenty of glucose, cells become less responsive.

The good news is that insulin resistance is reversible, meaning our guidance could help improve your cells’ sensitivity to the hormone with modifications to lifestyle and meal choices.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition that causes your body to make very little insulin or none at all. It impacts the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, causing glucose to build up in the bloodstream. T1D requires daily insulin injections to manage blood sugar levels and prevent complications.

With the help of a diabetes Dietitian Nutritionist in Austin, TX, you can receive personalized guidance to successfully manage this condition. We can help you understand your body’s response to food and optimize your meal plans to manage blood sugar.

Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes occurs when insulin resistance progresses without intervention. During this stage, the body struggles to handle the excess sugar. You may observe higher-than-normal blood glucose levels, but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. When blood sugars are less controlled, the excess stays in the bloodstream, which can lead to serious health complications.

Like insulin resistance, pre-diabetes is a reversible condition that requires changing meal habits and maintaining regular activity. But you don’t have to go through this process alone. A Registered Dietitian for pre-diabetes in Austin can guide you in managing emotional eating triggers and building sustainable, positive eating habits to lower blood sugar.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition characterized by elevated blood glucose levels during pregnancy, occurring in women who didn’t have diabetes before. It develops when placental hormones increase insulin resistance, making it harder for the body’s cells to use insulin effectively. If the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance — known as insulin insufficiency —blood sugar levels rise, leading to GDM.

One of our Austin-based Registered Dietitians for gestational diabetes can give you the tools you need to keep you and your baby nourished and prevent diabetes postpartum.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) develops when prediabetes is not managed with lifestyle changes. It begins with insulin resistance, where the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin. Over time, the pancreas becomes unable to keep up with the increased demand, and insulin production declines. This allows excess sugar to build up in the blood, making it thicker — like syrup — and harder to circulate. Chronically high blood sugar can damage nerves, blood vessels, and vital organs.

While T2DM has no cure, studies show potential for reversibility. With strategic nutrition planning, regular physical activity, and prescribed medications, you can successfully manage the condition and improve your overall health.

Our Approach

We offer virtual and in-person nutrition counseling at our Austin office, utilizing an evidence-based, realistic, and personalized approach. Our sessions focus on understanding your current situation and developing a strategic plan to help you manage insulin resistance, Type 1 diabetes (T1D), Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), pre-diabetes, or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

One of our passionate and friendly RDs can assist you in numerous ways:

Identifying factors affecting blood glucose: They’ll help you understand the factors contributing to elevated blood glucose and create practical strategies to minimize its impact.
Collaborating on nutritional goals: You’ll work together to create achievable, manageable, and effective goals to help you reach your A1c and blood glucose targets.
Educating you on macronutrient balance: They’ll guide you in understanding the importance of balancing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to support overall wellness.
Personalizing your carbohydrate intake: Your Registered Dietitian will tailor your carbohydrate intake to suit your unique needs and ensure it aligns with your personalized health goals.
Addressing emotional eating triggers: You’ll learn how to have a positive relationship with food and identify and manage eating urges. Your RD will also provide meal support to help you on your health journey.

Why Choose Us?

Food can be an impactful part of diabetes management. If you want to heal your relationship with food, you can feel confident booking a session with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Doherty Nutrition because you’ll enjoy the following perks:

Multiple insurance options: You can pay for counseling sessions with insurance from leading policies like Medicare, Molina, United, BlueCross BlueShield, and Anthem. We also accept self-pay.
Expert care: Our expert Registered Dietitians can give you everything you need to reclaim your nutritional health. Through our expertise and personalized counseling, we’ve successfully helped many clients with their personal wellness goals and can assist you, too.
Supportive environment: You’ll access individualized counseling in a supportive, inclusive, safe environment.

Get Started With a Diabetes Dietitian Who Cares

If you’re seeking nutrition counseling for type 1 diabetes in Austin — or support managing any form of diabetes — Doherty Nutrition is here to help. Our experienced and compassionate Registered Dietitians are ready to support you every step of the way.

Complete our online form to schedule an appointment.

Our Diabetes Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialists

Kristen Ramos

MS, RD, LD
Habla Español
Licensed in TX

Alejandra Amezola-Velazquez

MS, RD, LD
Habla Español
Licensed in TX

Business Development RDII

Daysy Bustamante

RD, LD
Habla Español
Licensed in IL & TX

Danielle McAdoo

RD, LD, CDCES
Licensed in TX

Scarlett Chaidez

MCN, RD, LD
Licensed in TX & AR

Senior Dietitian

Diana Figueroa

RD, LD
Habla Español
Licensed in TX

Business Development Manager

FAQs About Nutrition Counseling for Diabetes

Will my insurance cover nutrition counseling for diabetes?

Many insurance plans will cover nutrition counseling for diabetes as a preventative or medical service. Depending on your plan, you may pay $0 out of pocket or be responsible for standard copays or deductibles. We’re in-network with most major insurance brands, and you can verify your benefits here!

Where are your services offered?

We offer in-person appointments at our offices in Texas (Austin, Fort Worth, North Dallas, and Southlake) and Illinois (Chicago). We also provide telehealth services in several states, including Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

What are the most common complications of diabetes?

Although it varies case by case, diabetes can cause several complications over time. Potential complications include kidney damage (nephropathy), heart disease, nerve damage (neuropathy), eye damage (retinopathy), foot problems, or increased risk of infections. Personalized nutrition counseling, medication management, and lifestyle changes can help you reduce these risks.

Can I reverse diabetes or insulin resistance?

Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong management, but Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance can be vastly improved or put into remission through lifestyle changes. While not a complete reversal or cure, blood sugar levels return to a non-diabetic range.

What should I expect during my first appointment with a diabetes dietitian?

Your first nutrition counseling appointment typically lasts about 55-85 minutes and is all about getting to know you, setting goals, and building your understanding through personalized education. You’ll talk to your dietitian about your medical history, current meal patterns, relationship with food, and goals with diabetes management.

How do I book an appointment for nutrition counseling for diabetes?

Getting started is simple! You can complete our request counseling form so we can get to know you more and pair you with a dietitian, or you can book directly if you already know which dietitian you’d like to work with.