Diabetes Nutrition Counseling in Orlando, FL

Manage Your Blood Sugar with Confidence—No Restrictive Diets Required

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Managing diabetes doesn't have to mean giving up the foods you love or following complicated meal plans that don't fit your real life.

At Appleman Nutrition, we understand that traditional diabetes education often focuses on what you can't eat, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and restricted. Our Orlando-based team takes a radically different approach—one that honors your individual needs, cultural preferences, and lifestyle while helping you achieve stable blood sugar levels.

Our evidence-based diabetes nutrition counseling empowers you to make confident food choices without fear or guilt. Whether you're newly diagnosed, struggling with blood sugar fluctuations, or tired of restrictive approaches that don't work long-term, we provide personalized guidance that fits seamlessly into your Orlando lifestyle. From navigating local restaurants on International Drive to meal planning for busy work schedules, we help you build practical skills that support both your health goals and your quality of life.

You deserve diabetes management that feels sustainable, enjoyable, and uniquely yours. Our compassionate approach combines clinical expertise with deep respect for your individual journey, creating lasting change that goes far beyond temporary restrictions.

Diabetes nutrition counseling at Appleman Nutrition is a collaborative, personalized approach that goes beyond traditional carbohydrate counting and food restrictions.

We recognize that managing diabetes involves complex interactions between food choices, lifestyle factors, stress levels, sleep patterns, and individual body responses. Our Orlando-based registered dietitians work with you to develop a comprehensive understanding of how different foods and eating patterns affect your unique blood sugar patterns.

During individual sessions, we explore not just what you're eating, but when, how, and why you make certain food choices. We address practical challenges like managing blood sugar during long work days, navigating social eating situations, and finding satisfying meals that support stable glucose levels. Our approach is grounded in current diabetes research while remaining flexible enough to accommodate your cultural food preferences, work schedule, and family dynamics.

We believe sustainable diabetes management happens when you feel confident and empowered in your food choices. Rather than providing rigid meal plans, we teach you the skills to make informed decisions in any situation—whether you're grabbing lunch in downtown Orlando, attending family gatherings, or dealing with unpredictable schedules. Our sessions build upon each other, creating a comprehensive toolkit of strategies that support both your immediate blood sugar goals and long-term health.

The goal is not perfect blood sugar numbers, but rather consistent, manageable patterns that allow you to live fully while taking excellent care of your health. We celebrate progress, address setbacks with curiosity rather than judgment, and adapt our approach as your needs and lifestyle evolve.

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How You Benefit

  • Every person with diabetes responds differently to foods, stress, activity, and medications. Our Orlando diabetes nutrition counseling begins with a comprehensive assessment of your individual patterns, preferences, and lifestyle factors that influence your blood sugar levels. We use this information to create strategies that work specifically for your body and your life, not generic recommendations that ignore your unique circumstances.

    Living in Orlando means navigating everything from theme park visits to Cuban sandwiches at local favorites. We help you understand how your favorite local foods affect your blood sugar and develop practical strategies for enjoying Orlando's diverse food scene while maintaining stable glucose levels. Whether you're managing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, our personalized approach ensures you receive guidance that's relevant, achievable, and sustainable for your specific situation.

  • Traditional diabetes education often creates anxiety around food choices, leading to restrictive eating patterns that are difficult to maintain and can negatively impact your relationship with food. Our approach at Appleman Nutrition focuses on food flexibility and confidence rather than lengthy lists of "forbidden" foods. We teach you how to include a wide variety of foods in your diabetes management plan while achieving your blood sugar goals.

    Orlando's multicultural food landscape offers incredible variety, from Vietnamese pho in Mills 50 to Puerto Rican cuisine in Azalea Park. We believe you should be able to enjoy this diversity while managing your diabetes effectively. Our counseling sessions focus on practical skills like portion awareness, meal timing, and carbohydrate distribution that allow you to eat foods you love while maintaining stable blood sugar levels throughout the day.

  • Managing diabetes while juggling work, family, and social commitments requires practical strategies that fit into your real life. Our Orlando clients often struggle with irregular meal timing due to traffic on I-4, long work days, or family schedules that seem to change constantly. We provide concrete tools for managing blood sugar during these common Orlando lifestyle challenges.

    From meal prep strategies that work in Florida's heat to quick meal solutions for busy weeknights, we help you develop systems that support consistent diabetes management without overwhelming your schedule. We also address specific Orlando considerations like staying hydrated in the heat, managing blood sugar during outdoor activities, and navigating food choices at local events and festivals throughout the year.

  • Diabetes nutrition information can be confusing and contradictory, leaving many people unsure about which approaches actually work. Our Orlando diabetes nutritionists stay current with the latest research while filtering out fad diets and unsubstantiated claims. We translate complex nutritional science into practical, actionable guidance that makes sense for your daily life and your specific type of diabetes management.

    Central Florida's year-round growing season means access to fresh, local produce that can support optimal diabetes management. We help you take advantage of seasonal varieties available at Orlando farmers markets and local grocery stores, incorporating fresh, nutrient-dense foods that support stable blood sugar levels. Our evidence-based approach ensures you're making food choices that are backed by current diabetes research while remaining enjoyable and sustainable.

  • Diabetes management affects the entire family, not just the person with the diagnosis. Our Orlando practice recognizes that successful long-term diabetes management often requires support and understanding from family members. We provide guidance for family meals that work for everyone while supporting your diabetes goals, addressing common challenges like cooking for different dietary needs and helping family members understand how they can be most supportive.

    Many of our Orlando families juggle multiple schedules, dietary preferences, and health considerations. We help create meal planning and preparation strategies that accommodate everyone's needs while ensuring the person with diabetes receives appropriate nutritional support. Our family-centered approach strengthens relationships around food rather than creating division or special treatment that can feel isolating.

  • Sustainable diabetes management requires strategies that evolve with your changing needs, lifestyle, and health goals. Our Orlando diabetes nutrition counseling focuses on building skills and confidence that serve you for years to come, rather than providing temporary solutions that don't address underlying patterns. We help you develop an intuitive understanding of how your body responds to different foods and situations.

    As Orlando continues to grow and change, so do the food options, work demands, and lifestyle factors that affect diabetes management. Our ongoing support helps you adapt your diabetes care strategies as your life evolves, whether that means adjusting to a new job schedule, incorporating different cultural foods, or managing diabetes alongside other health conditions that may develop over time.

Service Catagories

Individual Diabetes Nutrition Counseling

Personalized one-on-one sessions focused on your specific diabetes management goals, food preferences, and lifestyle factors. We develop customized strategies for blood sugar management that fit seamlessly into your Orlando lifestyle, addressing everything from meal timing to restaurant navigation. Sessions include practical skill-building, problem-solving for challenging situations, and ongoing support as your needs evolve.

Blood Sugar Pattern Analysis

Comprehensive review of your blood glucose data to identify patterns and opportunities for improved management. We help you understand the
connections between food choices, meal timing, activity levels, and blood sugar responses. This detailed analysis informs personalized recommendations that can lead to more stable glucose levels throughout the day.

Carbohydrate Counting & Portion Guidance

Learn practical, flexible approaches to carbohydrate awareness that don't require measuring every bite. We teach intuitive portioning skills and
carbohydrate estimation techniques that work in real-world situations, from Orlando restaurants to family gatherings. Our approach emphasizes confidence and sustainability over rigid counting systems.

Lifestyle Integration Support

Develop strategies for maintaining stable blood sugar levels during Orlando's unique lifestyle demands, from theme park visits to outdoor activities in Florida heat. We address practical challenges like travel, irregular schedules, and social eating while maintaining effective diabetes management. This comprehensive support ensures your diabetes care adapts to your life rather than restricting it.

Family Meal Planning for Diabetes

Create meal planning and preparation strategies that support diabetes management while satisfying the whole family. We help navigate different
dietary needs, preferences, and schedules while ensuring nutritious, blood sugar-friendly options are always available. Our family-centered approach
strengthens mealtime connections rather than creating division around food Choices.

Our Process

Step 1: Comprehensive Diabetes Assessment

We begin with an in-depth evaluation of your current diabetes management, including blood sugar patterns, medication regimen, lifestyle factors, and personal goals. This 90-minute initial consultation allows us to understand your unique situation, challenges, and preferences. We review your food history, cultural background, work schedule, and any previous experiences with diabetes education to create a complete picture of your individual needs.

Step 2: Personalized Strategy Development

Based on your assessment, we collaborate to develop customized approaches that address your specific blood sugar patterns and lifestyle requirements. This includes identifying practical meal timing strategies, portion guidance for your favorite foods, and problem-solving techniques for challenging situations you regularly encounter. We create actionable plans that feel manageable and sustainable rather than overwhelming or restrictive.

Step 3: Skill Building and Implementation

Through regular follow-up sessions, we help you practice and refine new diabetes management skills in real-world situations. We address questions as they arise, troubleshoot unexpected challenges, and celebrate your successes along the way. This ongoing support ensures you feel confident applying your new knowledge in various Orlando dining and lifestyle situations.

Step 4: Long-Term Success Integration

As you become more confident in your diabetes management skills, we focus on long-term sustainability and adaptation. We help you recognize patterns, make adjustments independently, and maintain motivation for continued success. Our goal is empowering you with the knowledge and confidence to manage your diabetes effectively while living fully and joyfully.

Our Approach

At Appleman Nutrition, our diabetes nutrition counseling is grounded in the understanding that effective blood sugar management must fit into your real life to be sustainable.

We reject the traditional diabetes education model that focuses primarily on restrictions and limitations, instead embracing an approach that honors your individual needs, cultural food preferences, and lifestyle demands while achieving excellent health outcomes.

Our methodology combines evidence-based diabetes nutrition science with deep respect for your personal relationship with food. We recognize that living with diabetes in Orlando means navigating unique challenges—from managing blood sugar in Florida's heat to enjoying the area's incredible cultural food diversity. Rather than providing generic meal plans, we teach you the skills to make informed decisions that support stable glucose levels while maintaining the pleasure and social connections that food provides.

We believe sustainable diabetes management happens when you feel empowered and confident rather than restricted and fearful. Our sessions focus on building your understanding of how your body responds to different foods, situations, and lifestyle factors. This knowledge becomes the foundation for flexible, long-term strategies that adapt as your life changes and evolves.

Our Orlando practice serves individuals and families who want diabetes management that enhances rather than limits their quality of life. We provide the clinical expertise and ongoing support necessary for excellent diabetes care while respecting your autonomy, preferences, and goals. Every recommendation we make is designed to fit seamlessly into your existing lifestyle while supporting optimal health outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Appleman Nutrition has been providing evidence-based, compassionate nutrition counseling to Orlando and Central Florida families since 2008. Our practice specializes in creating sustainable, personalized approaches to diabetes management that honor individual needs and cultural food preferences. Founded by Rebecca Appleman, RD, our team combines clinical expertise with genuine understanding of the complex relationship between food, health, and quality of life.

Our Story

  • Traditional diabetes education often focuses on restrictions and complicated counting systems that can feel overwhelming and unsustainable. Our approach emphasizes food flexibility, practical skills, and building confidence in your ability to make informed choices that support stable blood sugar levels. We teach you to work with your body's responses rather than against them, creating strategies that feel empowering rather than restrictive.


  • Absolutely. Orlando's multicultural food landscape is one of the city's greatest assets, and we believe you should be able to enjoy it while managing diabetes effectively. We provide specific guidance for navigating local cuisine types, from Vietnamese pho to Puerto Rican specialties, teaching you how to make choices that satisfy your taste preferences while supporting your blood sugar goals.


  • Yes, we provide specialized nutrition counseling for individuals with Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes. Our approach is tailored to your specific type of diabetes, medication regimen, and individual management goals. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities associated with each type and adjust our recommendations accordingly.


  • Many clients begin noticing more stable blood sugar patterns within 2-4 weeks of implementing our personalized strategies. However, sustainable Diabetes management is an ongoing process that develops over time. We focus on gradual, lasting changes rather than quick fixes, ensuring that improvements in blood sugar control are maintainable long-term.


  • We believe collaborative care leads to the best outcomes for diabetes management. With your permission, we communicate with your endocrinologist, primary care physician, certified diabetes educator, and other healthcare providers to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care. This team approach helps optimize your overall diabetes management strategy.

Start Your Confident Diabetes Journey in Orlando

 Personalized nutrition counseling that fits your life and supports your goals 

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