Beef Shines During American Diabetes Month

November is recognized as American Diabetes Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 34 million, or about one in 10, people in the United States have diabetes. Another 88 million, or about one in three, have prediabetes; a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Individuals with diabetes and prediabetes are at increased risk for developing heart disease and stroke.

Due to the heightened awareness of diabetes during this time, there’s a prime opportunity to deliver education on prevention and management tips for both diabetes and prediabetes as a way to inspire adherence to an eating pattern that will keep blood sugar levels in check.

To address the common misconception about beef’s role in a diabetes-friendly diet, Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative staff members, Samantha Augustine, Director of Marketing, and Beth Stark, RDN, LDN, Director of Channel Marketing and Nutrition Outreach, partnered with two diabetes experts-nutrition influencers in the region to bring beef messaging to new audiences.

They collaborated with Virginia-based registered dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist and author, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND to hold a free, virtual class called Easy Meal Planning Tips for Blood Sugar Control. The class centered on how to plan quick and flavorful meals, featuring lean beef, to promote healthy blood sugar levels. During the hour-long class Jill answered participant questions and also prepared the recipe Simple Beef and Potato Skillet Olé. The class reached over 30 individuals.

The second partnership was with New Jersey-based registered dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist and author, Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES, LDN, CPT of Healthy Mom, Happy Family to create a video for Erin’s popular “Can I Eat That With Diabetes,” YouTube video series.  In her “Can I Eat Beef with Diabetes” video, Erin shares the latest science about beef’s role in a diabetes-friendly, heart-healthy diet and reveals the truth about beef and blood sugar. She also prepares a recipe for Beef and Pasta with Asian Peanut Sauce. The video reached Erin’s over 6,000 YouTube video subscribers, as well as her followers on Facebook and Instagram.

says Beth Stark.

To learn more about either one of these American Diabetes Month collaborations, please contact Samantha or Beth. 

For more information about Beef Checkoff programming in the Northeast, visit NEBPI.org 

Media Contact: Beth Stark, RDN, LDN [email protected] or visit the NEBPI website. 

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The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA Approval.   Internal links within this document are funded and maintained by the Beef Checkoff. All other outgoing links are to websites maintained by third parties.