Courses

Nutrition in Diabetes Management: A Case-Based Nutrition Update for Physicians

How can physicians identify nutritional risks and apply evidence-based nutrition interventions in type 2 diabetes care?

Author(s): Dominique R Williams, MD, MPH, FOMA, Dipl ABOM; Lauren Spain, PhD, RDN, LD, CDCES, FAND 

Program Date: 07 October 2026

Publication Date: 07 October 2026

Continuing Education Credits: This educational event is not eligible for healthcare professional continuing education credit

Course Description:

Nutrition is a foundational component of type 2 diabetes (T2D) management and plays an important role in achieving glycemic and cardiometabolic goals. This program reviews evidence-based nutrition strategies that physicians can incorporate into diabetes care, including nutrition risk assessment, medical nutrition therapy (MNT), identification of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, preservation of muscle health, and appropriate referral to a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

Using clinical scenarios to illustrate real-world applications, the program explores how individualized nutrition interventions and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data can support clinical decision-making and patient engagement. Physicians will gain practical insights into recognizing nutrition-related challenges in adults with T2D and integrating interdisciplinary, patient-centered approaches that support improved glycemic control and long-term health outcomes.

Course Objectives:
  • Describe the role of nutrition in achieving glycemic and cardiometabolic management goals in type 2 diabetes (T2D). 
  • Identify nutritional risks, including malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and loss of lean body mass, in adults with diabetes. 
  • Apply individualized nutrition interventions and evidence-based dietary strategies to diabetes management. 
  • Evaluate how continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data and interdisciplinary care can optimize nutrition-related clinical decision-making.
Key Takeaways:
  • Nutrition support, including medical nutrition therapy, can produce meaningful improvements in glycemic control, weight management, and cardiometabolic health.  
  • Malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and poor muscle health are common in people with type 2 diabetes, including those with overweight or obesity, and should be considered during routine clinical assessment.  
  • No single nutrient distribution is ideal for all people with diabetes; individualized, culturally appropriate nutrition plans are more effective than prescriptive approaches.  
  • Interdisciplinary care that includes RDNs, supported by tools such as CGM, can help translate nutrition recommendations into measurable improvements in diabetes management.

Performance Indicators: N/A

Activity Code: N/A

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Related Questions:
  • How can continuous glucose monitoring support nutrition counseling in diabetes care?
    CGM provides real-time feedback on glycemic responses to meals, snacks, physical activity, and behavioral patterns. This information can help healthcare professionals identify opportunities for individualized dietary modifications, improve patient engagement, and guide shared decision-making related to nutrition and diabetes management.
  • How does medical nutrition therapy contribute to diabetes management?
    Medical nutrition therapy can improve glycemic control, support weight management, and positively influence cardiometabolic risk factors. Individualized nutrition counseling may help patients make sustainable dietary changes that complement pharmacologic treatment and overall diabetes care.

Course Instructor Bio(s):

Dominique Williams, MD, MPH, FOMA, Dipl ABOM

Medical Director, Adult Nutrition 
Abbott Nutrition 
Columbus, OH, USA

Dr Williams is the Adult Nutrition Medical Director at Abbott, a global healthcare company. Her responsibilities include supporting the U.S. and global adult nutrition commercial operations, collaborating with the clinical project team on Abbott-sponsored clinical studies, and driving the development, submission, and execution of investigator-initiated studies, including research publication. She also leads the medical strategy and content review, including moderation for national and international advisory meetings and symposia with multi-disciplinary teams. 

Dominique is double board-certified in Obesity Medicine and Pediatrics. She is a dedicated educator and clinician with more than 20 years of experience in person-centered care, holistic mentoring, and curriculum development. In addition to her clinical work, she has been a mentor to medical students and resident physicians and serves as Adjunct Faculty at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dominique has publications on the topics of mentoring, equity-focused initiatives in medical education, nutrition therapy, and the care of people with obesity. She has also worked on several local and national initiatives to address health disparities. 

Dominique obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University, MD from Wright State University School of Medicine, and MPH in Nutrition from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Lauren Spain, PhD, RDN, LD, CDCES, FAND

Medical Science Liaison
Global Medical Affairs & Research
Abbott Nutrition
Austin, TX, USA   

Dr Lauren Spain is a dedicated nutrition professional with extensive experience in leadership, research, and wellness. She currently serves as a Medical Science Liaison in Medical Affairs & Research at Abbott’s Nutrition Division. Her expertise spans pediatric nutrition, wellness programming, and public health initiatives.   

Dr Spain earned her PhD in Nutrition and Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia. She completed her dietetic internship at Emory University Hospital and worked as a Clinical Dietitian prior to obtaining her PhD. Her research focused on protein sources and their effects on pediatric bone health and cognitive function. She previously served as Associated Department Head for Undergraduate Programs at Texas A&M University where she oversaw curriculum and taught both undergraduate and graduate courses.   

Dr Spain is active within the nutrition community and has held multiple leadership roles including serving as delegate to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) for the Nutrition Educators for Health Professionals Dietetics Practice Group and President of the Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She recently began her tenure as Director-at-Large for the AND in June 2025. 

Dr Spain is an accomplished speaker and clinician, committed to driving innovative care in nutrition, health, and wellness.

 

Category
Adult Disease State
References:
  • Evert AB, et al. Diabetes Care. 2019;42(5):731-754. 
  • Uribarri J, et al. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(7):1610-1616. 
  • Luévano-Contreras C, et al. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2013;52(1):22-26. 
  • Kelley DE, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1993;77(5):1287-1293.
  • Bannuru RR, et al. J Diabetes Sci Technol. Published online October 18, 2025.