Evidence-Based Carbohydrate Restriction: Using this Tool in a Safe and Effective Manner

In this webinar – the second in a series leading up to the virtual two-day event, Type 2 Diabetes Dialogue 2020 – Creating Connections for Change – registered dietitians Eliana Witchell and Michelle Shepherd shared their advanced knowledge of using reduced carbohydrate diets in clinical practice.

Learning objectives:

• Acknowledge current evidence for the remission of type 2 diabetes and outline the current position of international diabetes organizations on the role of carbohydrate restriction in managing diabetes.
• Discuss the key components of an evidence-based, well-formulated, carbohydrate restricted dietary approach including key safety factors that must be taken into account when using carbohydrate restriction.
• Review the current gaps in knowledge and competency related to carbohydrate restriction as identified by Canadian dietitians.
• Outline evidence-based training, tools and resources for carbohydrate restriction currently available to Canadian dietitians.
• Review how dietitians are a vital member of the interdisciplinary team, especially with food-first approaches to help achieve remission of diabetes and chronic disease.
• Consider RD experiences using carbohydrate restriction in practice.

Speaker Bios

Eliana Witchell
eliana@eatdifferentrd.com

Eliana Witchell, MSc, RD is the founder and Chief Eating Officer (CEO) of Eat ;Different RD, her virtual private practice in Ontario. She partners with medical teams (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and other clinicians) to help their patients improve health. Where appropriate, Eliana safely prescribes carbohydrate reduced dietary approaches with her patients.

Eliana has also partnered with a number of organizations to help lead the development of evidence-based resources and webinars for RDs and other health professionals to safely offer food-first approaches designed to reverse or put chronic disease into remission.

Michelle Shepherd
info@westcoastnutrition.ca

Michelle is a Registered Dietitian and graduated from the University of British Columbia’s integrated program in 2009 with a BSc in Food, Nutrition and Health.

Michelle opened up Westcoast Nutrition, a full-service nutritional program dedicated to providing clients with proven, modern advice and tools to take control of their nutritional health. Whether it’s an athlete looking to better fuel their performance, or a busy professional that turns to food to cope with stress at the office, Westcoast Nutrition offers personalized nutritional advice, skill development, and the emotional support required to help clients break deeply engrained habits, and feel healthy and confident in their own skin.

She continues to teach Sports Nutrition at Langara College, and spent almost a decade with BC Cancer before shifting to full time private practice.