The Diabetes Self-Management Education Classes at TPMG Nutrition Services are devoted to helping people living with diabetes better manage their condition and still live their life to the fullest.
Our program is endorsed by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), which has met national standards for diabetes patient education. A qualified nurse and certified diabetes educator, certified by the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators, lead the program. Diabetes Self-Management Education Classes are offered in group sessions and individually.
Call To Sign Up For A Class Today
This service is covered by most insurances and TPMG Nutrition Services will handle contacting your primary care physician for a referral.
* Currently all classes are virtual *
Why attend Diabetes Classes?
You should attend Diabetes Classes if:
- You aren’t sure how to count carbohydrates
- You are struggling to lose weight
- Your medications keep increasing
- You focus more on sugar content instead of the full nutritional profile
- You never check your blood sugar after eating
- You are unsure which foods are off limits and which are okay to eat
- You eat according to your blood sugar readings
- You forget to check your feet
- You can’t seem to control your blood pressure or cholesterol levels
- You are frustrated, confused and fed up
The Diabetes Self Management Education Classes Schedule
The DSME classes occur monthly from 5-8 PM. Our Newport News classes occur on the first Monday of every month and our Virginia Beach classes occur on the first Tuesday of every month. Below is a list of our scheduled classes (Please note: dates are subject to change):
Newport News Location Dates |
Virginia Beach Location Dates |
|
January 10
|
January 11
|
| February 7 |
February 1
|
| March 7 | March 1 |
| April 4 | April 5 |
| May 2 | May 3 |
| June 6 |
June 7
|
| July 11 |
July 15
|
| August 1 |
August 2
|
| September 12 |
September 6
|
| October 3 |
October 4
|
| November 7 |
November 1
|
| December 5 |
December 6
|
To sign up for our in-person classes or inquire about virtual classes, please call our office. We can also call your primary care provider for your referral and handle scheduling needs for you.
Call To Sign Up For A Class Today
This service is covered by most insurances and TPMG Nutrition Services will handle contacting your primary care physician for a referral.
Topics covered during our Diabetic Self-Management Education Classes include:
Food
For those with diabetes, good nutrition helps you maintain healthy blood sugar levels in your target range. Meal planning is just one more way to regulate your body and continue a healthy lifestyle. During the class, we will cover individual meal plans, carbohydrate and fat control, quick and healthy cooking, dining out, and label reading.
Exercise
Along with diet and medications, exercise is a key component of managing your diabetes. When you are active your cells become more sensitive to insulin, which can help control blood sugar levels and lower your risk of heart disease. We’ll teach you the building blocks of where to begin, how often, and exercises that are best for improving your condition.
Medications
Your doctor will decide which medications are right for you. Medications work in different ways. Make medication part of your routine by setting a reminder, keeping a daily log, and taking it as prescribed even on days when you feel good. Never change the dose or stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor.
Monitoring Blood Glucose Levels
The amount of glucose (“sugar”) in your blood can change throughout the day and night and is dependent on what you eat and if you exercise. Learning about patterns in your blood glucose levels can help you better manage your diabetes.
Complications
According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes are more likely to develop complications such as neuropathy, glaucoma, hypertension, and strokes. Luckily, with proper lifestyle changes, they can be delayed and/or prevented. Our classes cover ways to delay or prevent the onset of complications.
Living with Diabetes
Diabetes presents not only a significant impact on a person‘s lifestyle and health but a financial burden to the individual. We will cover the emotions you may face living with diabetes, coping mechanisms, and the impact on family and friends.
Behavior Change
Diabetes changes your lifestyle, so our class will cover strategies and plans for change.
Program Mission:
Our goal is to help people with diabetes live healthier lives now and in the future. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause or lead to blindness, kidney disease, nerve disease, limb amputations, heart disease, and stroke. Through appropriate food intake, physical activity, medications (if needed), and blood glucose monitoring, a person can take charge of diabetes and/or prevent these devastating complications.
TPMG Nutrition Services
Newport News
860 Omni Boulevard, Suite 301
Newport News, VA 23606
Virginia Beach
4421 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Suite 112
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Our Nutrition Services Specialists
Gale Pearson
MS, RDN, CDCES
Mary Roberts-Curran
MA, RDN, CHES
