With type 2 diabetes affecting over 37 million Americans and disproportionately impacting communities of color, registered dietitians need innovative, culturally responsive approaches to disease management. While vegetarian diets have shown promising results in diabetes care, implementing these dietary patterns requires careful consideration of cultural food traditions and patient preferences.

This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest evidence on vegetarian dietary patterns in managing type 2 diabetes, as supported by a recent Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' systematic review and meta-analysis. Key findings on how vegetarian and vegan diets can improve glycemic control, decrease body mass index and potentially reduce medication dependency in adults with type 2 diabetes will be presented.

Building on this research, this session will provide practical insights to apply this research into actionable culturally responsive strategies. Case-studies will demonstrate how dietitians can provide inclusive, patient-centered interventions to optimize diabetes management across varied cultural backgrounds.

Attendees will also receive an overview of Latin, African, South Asian and East Asian plant-based Culture Plates leaving equipped to confidently implement evidence-based approaches that resonate with your diverse patient population.

Co-planned with the Diabetes and Vegetarian Nutrition DPGs