National Diabetes Month was observed in November, and though we’re already into the second week of December, the importance of understanding diabetes hasn’t changed.

Lauren Giddings, Clinical Dietitian and Diabetes Educator for Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, emphasizes the importance of nutrition for those with and those at risk of being diagnosed with diabetes.

Giddings has been at her position with Riverside for 26 years and in that time has seen patients become overwhelmed by overcomplicating their nutrition. She said many say they want a magical list of foods to eat in order to counteract their old habits.

It’s well known that carbohydrates play a large role in diabetes, said Giddings. While foods high in carbs are often the best tasting, overconsumption of them can lead some to prediabetes. Prediabetes means a person’s A1C levels are between 6 to 6.5 and if changes aren’t made, that person is on the path to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an aut...