Think Like A Pancreas...The Podcast!

Understanding insulin is the foundation everything else in diabetes management builds on. In this episode of Think Like a Pancreas--the Podcast, Tavia Vital is joined by author, Gary Scheiner to break down the basics. They talk about how insulin actually works in the body (Gary's "key and lock" analogy), the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and why some people can have features of both at once.
You'll learn the real purpose of basal insulin versus bolus insulin, why "waking up with a good number" doesn't necessarily mean your basal dose is right, and how the major factors — food, stress hormones, physical activity, and insulin — work together to raise or lower blood sugar. 
Whether you're newly diagnosed or just want a refresher on the fundamentals, this episode lays the groundwork for everything else covered in Think Like a Pancreas.
MEET YOUR HOST AND HER GUEST:
Tavia Vital BSN, BA, RN, CDCES is the Director of Intensive Diabetes Management for Integrated Diabetes Services. Tavia is a Registered Nurse, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, and Certified Trainer on most makes/models of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring systems. Having lived with type one diabetes for over 40 years, she understands that each person’s experiences and needs are unique.
 
Gary Scheiner, MS, CDCES is the owner and Clinical Director of Integrated Diabetes Services. He is an award-winning Certified Diabetes Educator, Masters-level Exercise Physiologist and person with type-1 diabetes since 1985.  Gary is also actively involved with many diabetes related organizations as a volunteer and clinical advisor.
KEY TAKEAWAYS AND HIGHLIGHTS:
✔️There are many types and sub-types of diabetes.
✔️ There are at least 11 different classes of medications for lowering glucose levels.
✔️ Basal insulin should keep blood glucose levels flat, while bolus insulin is used to cover food that is eaten.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
02:43 The Types of Diabetes
10:12 What Kind of Diabetes Do I Have?
11:48 Things That Impact Blood Glucose
17:26 The Role of Basal Insulin
19:12 Bolus Insulin
20:13 The Job of Insulin in the Body
22:16 Adjusting Insulin
24:38 The Most Important Chapter in Think Like a Pancreas
 
RESOURCES:
Think Like A Pancreas - 4th edition
  https://integrateddiabetes.com/store/think-like-a-pancreas-4th-edition
https://integrateddiabetes.com/ids-packages/
CONNECT WITH US:
🔵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 info@integrateddiabetes.com
SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEW:
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.

Chapter two of Think Like a Pancreas examines the motivation behind good glucose control.
In this special episode, Dr. Paula Diab talks to author Gary Scheiner about the value of good glucose management now. Listen to learn why short-term benefits like better mood, energy, and focus are much more motivating than the fear of complications 20 years away, and why perfectionism has no place in diabetes management.
MEET YOUR HOST AND HER GUEST:
Dr Paula Diab MBChB, MFamMed, PhD, CDCES is the Director of Weight Management at Integrated Diabetes Services. She is a Family Physician and Diabetologist who runs a multi-disciplinary practice specializing in the management of chronic diseases, particularly diabetes and obesity in South Africa. Her approach is to walk the journey with her patients and to allow them to manage their disease rather than allow the disease to define who they are.
Gary Scheiner, MS, CDCES is the owner and Clinical Director of Integrated Diabetes Services. He is an award-winning Certified Diabetes Educator, Masters-level Exercise Physiologist and person with type-1 diabetes since 1985.  Gary is also actively involved with many diabetes related organizations as a volunteer and clinical advisor.
KEY TAKEAWAYS AND HIGHLIGHTS:
✔️ The threat of complications that may occur in 20 years does not motivate improved glucose control.
✔️ Glucose control that is too tight can take a toll on your physical and emotional health.
✔️ About half of complication risk relates to blood sugar; the rest relates to genetics, lifestyle, environment, and unknown factors. Glucose management is the one piece within your control.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
02:23 The Positive Aspects of Diabetes Management
06:59 Why Short-Term Benefits Motivate More than Long-Term Complication Fears
12:49 The Impact of Poor Glucose Management
15:40 The Benefit of Proper Glucose Management
16:59 Learning from the Data
19:15 Closing Thoughts
RESOURCES:
Fear of Low Blood Sugars. Breaking it Down with Bill Polonsky
  https://youtu.be/s3TtvAB409Y?si=oW15UoLwRHS9Vx6r
Think Like A Pancreas - 4th edition
  https://integrateddiabetes.com/store/think-like-a-pancreas-4th-edition
 
CONNECT WITH US:
🔵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 info@integrateddiabetes.com
SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEW:
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.

Welcome to the 100th episode of Think Like a Pancreas—The Podcast! To mark this momentous occasion, we are launching a special series inspired by the book that started it all. Join us twice a week for the next five weeks, as we share insights from each chapter of this incredible book.
In this episode, Katlyn Agosta, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CDCES, sits down with author Gary Scheiner, MS, CDCES, FADCES, to talk about his diagnosis story, how it shaped his life, and how it changed his career path.
During their conversation, Gary reflects on his 1985 type 1 diagnosis and how management has evolved from "guillotine" finger-poke devices, exchange diets, and NPH insulin. Katlyn also shares her diagnosis story as well, and together they highlight the progress in diabetes care and discuss irreplaceable value of human insight in diabetes management.
 
MEET YOUR HOST AND HER GUEST:
Katlyn Agosta, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CDCES is a Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist and nurse practitioner who has lived with Type 1 Diabetes since 2002. She is currently rocking an automated insulin delivery system, but has years of personal and professional experience with a variety of diabetes management approaches. After earning her bachelor’s in nursing from George Mason University in 2010, Katlyn became a board-certified nurse practitioner in 2020 and provides primary care services locally for patients in Florida.
Gary Scheiner, MS, CDCES is the owner and Clinical Director of Integrated Diabetes Services. He is an award-winning Certified Diabetes Educator, Masters-level Exercise Physiologist and person with type-1 diabetes since 1985.  Gary is also actively involved with many diabetes related organizations as a volunteer and clinical advisor.
KEY TAKEAWAYS AND HIGHLIGHTS:
✔️ Every insulin user has a backstory worth hearing. Gary shares his story for readers to better understand that he truly does understand what he is talking about.  
✔️ Both Gary and Katlyn emphasize that despite advances in technology (including AI), diabetes management remains deeply personal, and one-on-one care is central to how IDS works with patients.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:19 Meet Gary Scheiner
03:47 Registered Nurse vs Nurse Practitioner. What is the Difference?
06:39 Gary’s Diagnosis and Care Changes Over Time
11:18 The Exchange Diet vs Carb Counting
14:52 “Fast” Acting Insulin
16:18 Discovering Diabetes Self-Management
18:27 The Value of a Clinician Over AI
20:06  Katlyn’s Diagnosis Story
23:33 Closing Thoughts
RESOURCES:
Fear of Low Blood Sugars. Breaking it Down with Bill Polonsky
  https://youtu.be/s3TtvAB409Y?si=oW15UoLwRHS9Vx6r
Think Like A Pancreas - 4th edition
  https://integrateddiabetes.com/store/think-like-a-pancreas-4th-edition
CONNECT WITH US:
🔵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 info@integrateddiabetes.com
SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEW:
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.

This is the final episode in the series, Type 1 Diabetes and Pregnancy: A Complete Guide for Women — Preconception to Postpartum.
In part three, Jennifer Smith and Tavia Vital talk about Labor, Delivery, and the Postpartum Journey for women with type 1 diabetes.
They cover building a written labor and delivery plan to share with your care team, deciding whether to self-manage insulin during delivery or hand it over to the hospital protocol, and preparing a partner as a backup safety net. They break down how IV insulin differs from pump or injection insulin, and how induction, spontaneous labor, and C-sections each affect blood sugar differently.
The conversation moves into newborn blood sugar basics, the importance of switching to a new postpartum insulin plan within about an hour of delivering the placenta, and how breastfeeding — especially in the first two weeks — can cause significant glucose drops. Jenny and Tavia also highlight two often-overlooked postpartum risks--thyroid dysfunction (which affects roughly 1 in 4 women with type 1 diabetes) and the difference between normal "baby blues" and postpartum depression, encouraging women not to navigate any of it alone.
MEET YOUR HOSTS:
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.
Tavia Vital BSN, BA, RN, CDCES is the Director of Intensive Diabetes Management for Integrated Diabetes Services. Tavia is a Registered Nurse, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, and Certified Trainer on most makes/models of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring systems. Having lived with type one diabetes for over 40 years, she understands that each person’s experiences and needs are unique.
KEY TAKEAWAYS AND HIGHLIGHTS:
✔️ It is important to have a plan created for labour and delivery that includes the role of your birthing partner. It is equally important to remember that you can change that plan once you are experiencing labour.
✔️ Cutting carbs in the final 2–4 weeks of pregnancy can help "train" baby's pancreas not to overproduce insulin, reducing the risk of newborn hypoglycemia after delivery.
✔️ About 1 in 4 women with type 1 diabetes develop postpartum hyperthyroidism, sometimes with no prior thyroid history — watch for hair loss, jitteriness, elevated resting heart rate, and frequent bowel movements.
 
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
02:41 Building Your Labor and Delivery Plan with Your Care Team
09:05 Sharing Your Glucose During Delivery
10:33 Planning Your Insulin Protocol for Delivery
14:41 Educating Your Birthing Partner on Your Diabetes Management
20:17 Understanding IV Insulin vs Infused/Injected Insulin
23:27 Planning for Spontaneous Birth vs Induction vs C-Section
26:37 Post Delivery Insulin Needs for Baby
32:24 Post-Partum Insulin Plan
36:21 Curveballs: Preeclampsia and Steroids During Delivery
38:17 Glucose Needs While Breastfeeding
45:08 The Return of the Menstrual Cycle
46:36 Increased Risk of Thyroid Problems Post-Partum
52:51 Post-Partum Depression vs Baby Blues
57:31 Carrying Your Learning Forward
 
RESOURCES:
Type 1 Diabetes and Pregnancy: Preconception Planning  for a Healthy Pregnancy
  https://youtu.be/o9LM3veYmiY
Type 1 Diabetes and Pregnancy: Changes through the Trimesters
  https://youtu.be/_5sWX-lJ8s4
Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes: Your Month-to-Month Guide to Blood Sugar Management
Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes--The Book and The Authors
  https://youtu.be/g2arb-bHSPg?si=Rk6gUmMdW5aOxDvl
 
CONNECT WITH US:
🔵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 info@integrateddiabetes.com
SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEW:
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.

In part two of our three-part series, Type 1 Diabetes and Pregnancy: Changes Through the Trimesters, Jennifer Smith and Tavia Vital share what to expect after conception.
They debunk common misconceptions and offer an honest look at what to expect now that you are expecting.
From the value of continuous glucose monitor (CGM) data to changing insulin needs, nausea, hypoglycemia, and DKA, Jenny and Tavia share their clinical and personal experiences with the adjustments needed for diabetes management throughout pregnancy.
MEET YOUR HOSTS:
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.
Tavia Vital BSN, BA, RN, CDCES is the Director of Intensive Diabetes Management for Integrated Diabetes Services. Tavia is a Registered Nurse, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, and Certified Trainer on most makes/models of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring systems. Having lived with type one diabetes for over 40 years, she understands that each person’s experiences and needs are unique.
KEY TAKEAWAYS AND HIGHLIGHTS:
✔️ Early pregnancy often brings a temporary insulin resistance spike, followed by a drop to as low as 1/3 of pre-pregnancy doses by roughly week 6–8.
✔️Hypoglycemia unawareness becomes more common in pregnancy — glucagon (including micro-dosing) and ketone strips should be on hand, not just "somewhere in a drawer."
✔️By third trimester, insulin needs can triple compared to pre-pregnancy doses.
✔️Ketone testing is advised any time insulin has been suspended for a while, after a suspected site/pump failure, or when glucose won't come down as expected — DKA can occur at lower glucose levels than the traditional teaching suggests.
 
CHAPTERS:
00:00 The Role of Technology in Diabetes Management
08:07 Finding the Right Tech Fit
14:44 Navigating the First Trimester
22:32 Dealing with Nausea
24:50 Hypoglycemia Unawareness
29:02 18-21Week Insulin Adjustments…Again.
31:47 The role of Protein in Pregnancy
35:01 The Third Trimester
39:12 Adjunct Pregnancy Therapies
40:38 DKA Risk During Pregnancy
44:11 The Conversations to Have With Your Healthcare Team During Your Pregnancy
RESOURCES:
Type 1 Diabetes and Pregnancy: Preconception Planning  for a Healthy Pregnancy
  https://youtu.be/o9LM3veYmiY
Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes: Your Month-to-Month Guide to Blood Sugar Management
Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes--The Book and The Authors
  https://youtu.be/g2arb-bHSPg?si=Rk6gUmMdW5aOxDvl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7eimb20zcI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDPHdTAaT4o
CONNECT WITH US:
🔵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 info@integrateddiabetes.com
SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEW:
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.

In part one of the three-part series, Type 1 Diabetes and Pregnancy: A Complete Guide for Women — Preconception to Postpartum, Jennifer Smith and Tavia Vital focus on preconception. They consider this to be the "missing trimester" that most women aren't coached through.
They cover building a care team, adjusting meds/supplements, tightening glucose targets safely, nutrition, screenings, as well as some of the biggest fears that women bring to this conversation.
MEET YOUR HOSTS:
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.
 
Tavia Vital BSN, BA, RN, CDCES is the Director of Intensive Diabetes Management for Integrated Diabetes Services. Tavia is a Registered Nurse, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, and Certified Trainer on most makes/models of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring systems. Having lived with type one diabetes for over 40 years, she understands that each person’s experiences and needs are unique.
KEY TAKEAWAYS AND HIGHLIGHTS:
✔️ Recommended timeline: start preconception conversations with your care team at least 6 months before trying to conceive.
✔️ Glucose target tightening should be gradual and stepwise, not a sudden jump to pregnancy-range targets.
✔️Folic acid: pregnancy with diabetes often calls for double the folic acid found in a standard prenatal. Please confirm with your healthcare provider.
✔️Having type 1 diabetes does not automatically mean a big baby or an induced/C-section delivery.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Part 1 of Type 1 Diabetes and Pregnancy
03:45 Setting the Stage for a Healthy Pregnancy
05:34 Tavia’s Preconception Experience
07:18 Planning for Pregnancy Months in Advance
12:50 Gradually Shifting Glucose Targets Before Pregnancy
17:32 Shifting Gears for an Unplanned Pregnancy
22:35 What to Know About Nutrition Before and After Conception
33:52 Pre-conception Screenings
38:37  De-Bunking Common Myths and Misconceptions
42:53 Recommended Resources
46:15 Coming up in Part 2 of the Type 1 Diabetes and Pregnancy Series
RESOURCES:
Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes: Your Month-to-Month Guide to Blood Sugar Management
The 100 Healthiest Foods to Eat During Pregnancy
Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes--The Book and The Authors
  https://youtu.be/g2arb-bHSPg?si=Rk6gUmMdW5aOxDvl
What to expect with IVF. Why Standard Diabetes Care Isn't Enough for Fertility
   https://youtu.be/gfceQ_1Q70Y
 
CONNECT WITH US:
🔵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 info@integrateddiabetes.com
SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEW:
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.

Integrated Diabetes Services supports clients’ physical and mental health with clinicians trained to help you understand your data, fuel your body, and quiet your mind. In this episode of Think Like a Pancreas—The Podcast, Tavia Vital, BSN, BA, RN, CDCES, sits down with Melanie Bacine of Mel B Wellness to discuss how calming the mind can improve diabetes management. You’ll learn how a quiet morning coffee ritual can help you start the day feeling more relaxed, how journaling at night may support better sleep, and how Tavia uses aromatherapy in her own diabetes care.
MEET YOUR HOST AND HER GUEST
Tavia Vital BSN, BA, RN, CDCES is the Director of Intensive Diabetes Management for Integrated Diabetes Services. Tavia is a Registered Nurse, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, and Certified Trainer on most makes/models of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring systems. Having lived with type one diabetes for over 40 years, she understands that each person’s experiences and needs are unique.
Melanie Bacine is a certified life and wellness coach as well as a medicinal aromatherapist. She has spent twenty-eight years living with three autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes. During that time she came to understand that the mind-body is something to be worked on every day.
KEY TAKEAWAYS AND HIGHLIGHTS:
✔️Mindfulness and meditation are two different practices. Mindfulness can occur at any moment in time.  
✔️Small changes can create large benefits in our body and do not have to take large chunks of time.  
✔️Creating a sustainable wellness routine involves taking deliberate action to look beyond just what we see and explore how the other senses can improve our whole being.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Meet Melanie Bacine
03:41 Defining Mindfulness
06:55 Practical Mindfulness Tips for Busy Lives
11:48 Grounding Exercises
20:13 Aromatherapy—Separating Facts from Myths
32:50 Sound Therapy & Relaxation
39:45 Creating a Sustainable Wellness Routine
 
RESOURCES:
https://melbwellness.com/
https://www.instagram.com/melb.wellness/
https://www.facebook.com/melbacine
https://integrateddiabetesservices.podbean.com/e/fear-of-low-blood-sugars-in-type-1-diabetes/
 
CONNECT WITH US:
🔵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 info@integrateddiabetes.com
SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEW:
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.

What constitutes a "low-carb" diet?
In episode 95 of Think Like a Pancreas, our hosts Jennifer Smith (RD, CDCES) and Dana Roseman (MPH, CDCES, RDN, LDN) sit down to unpack the broad, and often misunderstood, world of low-carb eating and type 1 diabetes management.
From strict 30-gram-a-day ketogenic plans to the flexible 80/20 lifestyle of a Mediterranean approach, Jenny and Dana explain why a one-size-fits-all diet doesn't exist. They dive into the traps of marketing labels, how metabolic age shifts your results, and why mastering your insulin strategy is ultimately more freeing than completely eliminating your favorite foods.
MEET YOUR HOSTS
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.
KEY TAKEAWAYS AND HIGHLIGHTS:
✔️Age alters your metabolism, that is why it is much more important to find a sustainable diet over the latest fab diet.
✔️The healthiest way to shop is to spend the bulk of your time in the periphery and find only occasional treats in the middle aisles.
✔️Carbohydrates are not evil. Dietary success lies in eating for health 80% of the time, allowing for flexibility (like a vacation or special treat) 20% of the time, and learning the precise insulin timing strategies to navigate those choices smoothly.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome and Defining Low Carb Diets
05:10 Lower Carb, Lower Processed Foods Benefits
06:53 Age, Metabolism, and Managing Expectations
08:39 How Many Carbs Are Too Many?
12:28 GLP-1 Medications and Protein Priorities
14:25 The Benefits to Diabetes Management
17:50 The 80/20 Rule of Diabetes Management
RESOURCES:
The Low Carb Lifestyle
   https://www.type1university.com/the-low-carb-lifestyle/
Beyond Carbs: The effects of fiber, protein, fat & more
  https://www.type1university.com/beyond-carbs-the-effects-of-fat-protein-more/
CONNECT WITH US:
🔵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 info@integrateddiabetes.com
SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEW:
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.

Living with Type 1 Diabetes often makes us focus on what we might lose—but what if we focused on what we can add?
In this episode of Think Like a Pancreas, host Gary Scheiner sits down with longtime colleague, professional motivational speaker, and type 1 athlete Chris Rudin. Together they unpack the physiological and mental benefits of resistance training, debunk the myths around workout failure, and provide actionable strategies for managing blood sugars during training at any age.
MEET YOUR HOST
Gary Scheiner, MS, CDCES is the owner and Clinical Director of Integrated Diabetes Services. He is an award-winning Certified Diabetes Educator, Masters-level Exercise Physiologist and person with type-1 diabetes since 1985.  Gary is also actively involved with many diabetes related organizations as a volunteer and clinical advisor.
Chris Ruden is a transformational keynote speaker, change management expert, and disability inclusion advocate who engages audiences across the USA and worldwide.  He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at aged 19, is an amputee, world-record powerlifter, and NBC’s Titan Games competitor. Chris leverages his story of overcoming adversity to help organizations build trust and resilience.
KEY TAKEAWAYS AND HIGHLIGHTS:
✔️Never “should” all over yourself!
✔️Muscle growth promotes general health and metabolism, but it also has mental health benefits that many people don’t realize.
✔️ Total daily intake of protein matters more than the timing of your protein when building muscle or losing fat.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
04:44 Meeting Challenges and Making Adaptations
08:44 The Role of Muscle in Healthy Living
12:55 Program Design for Muscle Building
21:26 The Importance of Muscle Damage in Muscle Building
23:12 Why You Need to be In Range to Build Muscle
24:24 The Ideal Amount of Protein
30:19 Managing Glucose Levels While Building Muscle
36:10  Should You Change Up Your Workouts to Avoid Injury
38:50 Don’t Be Upset at The Skills That You Don’t Have from The Work That You Didn’t Do.
40:21 GLP-1s and Protein
41:13 Chris’s Inspiration
RESOURCES:
New Nutrition Guidelines Explained: What They Mean for Type 1 Diabetes
      https://Integrateddiabetesservices.podbean.com/e/2026-nutrition-guidelines/
The ADA Scientific Sessions Round Up With Gary Scheiner
  https://Integrateddiabetesservices.podbean.com/e/the-ada-scientific-sessions-round-up-with-gary-scheiner/
Chris Ruden – Change Management Keynote Speaker
CONNECT WITH US:
🔵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 info@integrateddiabetes.com
SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEW:
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.

The 2026 ADA Scientific Sessions was marred by a standoff between ADA staff and some highly reputable scientists who were trying to distribute copies of an editorial that was published in an ADA journal without “express written consent”. There were also rumors swirling about the hostile takeover of one of Breakthrough T1D’s major fundraising entities and its own parent company. 
Despite the political skirmishes, this year’s meeting was nothing short of fantastic. Clinical Director and Founder Gary Scheiner learned about the latest in research, technology, and product releases and shares them with you in this special episode. 
MEET YOUR HOST
Gary Scheiner, MS, CDCES is the owner and Clinical Director of Integrated Diabetes Services. He is an award-winning Certified Diabetes Educator, Masters-level Exercise Physiologist and person with type-1 diabetes since 1985.  Gary is also actively involved with many diabetes related organizations as a volunteer and clinical advisor.
KEY TAKEAWAYS AND HIGHLIGHTS:
✔️Insulin absorption is slower as pregnancy proceeds.
✔️Tegoprubart offers exciting cure possibilities.
✔️ Continuous ketone monitoring is coming with more benefits than you may think.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
01:38 AID Optimization
03:04 Pumps & Pregnancy
08:19 New Product Development
12:05 “Other” Medications
20:00 Ketone (Sensing) Is Coming!
24:05 Exercise Discoveries
30:20 Slowing T1D Progression
33:28 Sleep Matters 
35:30 Last But Not Least
RESOURCES:
Key Findings From The ADA Scientific Sessions 2026
CONNECT WITH US:
🔵Website: integrateddiabetes.com
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🔵To work with the Integrated Diabetes Services Team , visit https://integrateddiabetes.com/appointments/   or email info@integrateddiabetes.com
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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.