Intuitive Eating for Diabetes: The No Shame, No Blame, Non-Diet Approach to Managing Your Blood Sugar

by Janice Dada MPH RDN, Elyse Resch (foreword)

A revolutionary, anti-diet approach to whole-body health. Tune into your body’s natural intuition and get the upper hand on your diabetes!

Are you one of the millions dealing with diabetes? If so, you’re probably all too familiar with the medical establishment badgering you to lose weight. But did you know evidence now shows that approaches focusing solely on weight loss are at best unhelpful and at worst, harmful? These popular weight-based strategies have been found to increase food and body obsession, weight-cycling, low self-esteem, and disordered eating, to name a few. If you’re tired of weight-focused methods that leave you feeling miserable, maybe it’s time for a new, revolutionary approach to whole-body health that’s rooted in self-compassion.

This groundbreaking guide outlines the principles of Intuitive Eating—an effective, evidence-based, anti-diet approach to nutrition—to help you manage your blood sugar levels without restriction. You’ll learn about the root causes of diabetes, how to listen to your body for natural cues of hunger and fullness, and how to develop a more nourishing (and sustainable) relationship with food. You’ll also discover why dieting doesn’t work, and finally break free from the cycle of shame, self-blame, and more weight gain.

If you’re ready to let go of the mainstream diet-culture idea that weight loss alone is essential to managing blood sugar, it’s time to embrace the science and effectiveness of intuitive eating.

Genres: Nonfiction, Food

191 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2025

Reviews

[Marci · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a registered dietitian, certified intuitive eating counselor, and eating disorders specialist - I cannot recommend this book enough. In this clear, concise, and highly approachable book, the author steps you through how to care for yourself with diabetes in ways most people never dream possible (without restriction, guilt, judgement, rigidity). With an abundance of research and client anecdotes woven throughout, Janice instills hope alongside practical guidance. If you or someone you love has diabetes, I cannot imagine a better gift than this book.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up having been informed by my GP that I was "pre-diabetic." This turned out to be a bit of a, shall we say, lie. (Ah, the life of a fat woman trying to get healthcare! What fun!) However, this book still proved to be immensely useful by addressing the exact systemic issues that would make a provider tell a person with a perfect A1C and glucose levels to treat for diabetes.

The starting chapters delve into the science behind how diabetes works in the human body, what actually constitutes having diabetes (spoiler, pre-diabetes isn't really a thing based in data) how we test/screen and what treatments are available. This book features a works cited list that fills 20% of the book's volume, so this is the good stuff. The science parts go on to dismantle the weight-centric model that most providers use to treat diabetes. I am always here for the Ancel Keyes slander and discussing Flegal et. al.

Once the book moves into the actual steps you can take to improve your health without centering diet culture, personal anecdotes and real actionable behaviors are introduced. While these suggestions are still very much research based, they feel approachable unlike the advice often given by providers. The intuitive-eating approach is very well explained and stratified for accessibility. While some of it is a little aspirational (yes, we all know yoga and home cooked meals are good for us) the information is scaled so that the reader can identify manageable and realistic changes they can make.

For anyone looking to understand the jargon being tossed around by your GP, aiming for better blood work, or just looking to nourish their body free from diet-culture- this book is a very useful resource.

[BlueFalkon95 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intuitive Eating for Diabetes
The No Shame, No Blame, Non-Diet Approach to Managing Your Blood Sugar
by Elyse Resch; Janice Dada

Pub Date Apr 01 2025 | Archive Date Apr 01 2025
New Harbinger Publications, Inc. | New Harbinger
Health, Mind & Body | Self-Help

I’m in agreement with the authors that this book Intuitive Eating for Diabetes is not one to listen or read before going to bed at night as you might miss out on learning more about diabetes and how to manage, advocating etc. This book is one to keep handy on a coffee table, in your book case, or even in your bag. As there’s sections to reflect, keep a notebook or journal handy so you can write your thoughts or even questions to ask your medical team. I’m glad to receive this book as I am able to learn how to self care, advocate for myself, how to work with my medical team and nutrition.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from New Harbinger Publications, Inc via NetGalley for my honest review of the book Intuitive Eating for Diabetics by Elyse Resch and Janice Dada.
The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.
#IntuitiveEatingforDiabetes #NetGalley.

[María Rguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is such a breath of fresh air if you're tired of being told to just lose weight to manage your diabetes. It flips the script and focuses on intuitive eating, a more realistic and compassionate way to care for your health without obsessing over every calorie or pound.

I loved how the author explains why diets often don’t work and how they can make things worse in the long run. The book really helps you understand how to listen to your body better and trust it, which feels so much better than constant restriction. The tone is super supportive and non-judgmental, like talking to a friend who gets it.

This is a great read for anyone ready to stop stressing about weight and focus on feeling better overall. It’s encouraging, easy to read, and perfect if you want a different (and kinder) way to approach your health. Definitely recommend!

[Guerry Sisters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you New Harbinger for our free copy of Intuitive Eating for Diabetes💕

I LOVED this book and am so excited to have this resource to recommend to clients

Rating: 5 star ⭐️
Genre: Nonfiction 📚

Thoughts: I had high hopes for this book & it did not disappoint. I appreciate the compassionated, holistic approach to diabetes care and management guided by intuitive eating principles. The book does a great job giving a better understanding around diabetes, the root causes, what impacts blood sugar management, and deciphering diet culture misinformation around diabetes.🙌

If you or someone you know is wanting to learn more about diabetes, I highly recommend this book!🫶❤️

[Cynthia Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Elyse Resch, and Janice Dada for the eARC. This was an insightful and informative read. Having people close to me who have type 2 diabetes, and experiencing gestational diabetes twice myself, the concept of the "diabetes police" really resonated. It's something I’ve heard from loved ones with type 2, and something I felt firsthand during my own experience. It highlights the stigma surrounding weight and outdated food ideals, which, unfortunately, still affect us as a society. A great read for anyone, whether you're personally affected by diabetes or just looking to understand the broader conversation.

[Cristi P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! It’s packed with research-based information without any gimmicks or trendy fads. While it offers a wealth of valuable insights, it never feels like you’re just reading through data. I truly enjoyed reading it and appreciate the practical guidance the author provides. The real-life examples from her clients make the content even more relatable and impactful.

[Sherry Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are Diabetic or know someone who is. This is a fantastic book of all the information you need to help you with this situation! Very informative!!!

[Zee · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Uncomfortable, but I never felt shamed. I'd highly recommend this.

[em palmerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid organization and use of the intuitive eating principles for diabetes

[Es H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book very clearly explains the condition of diabetes - what it is and how to manage it. It provides important information everyone can use, even if you don't have the condition. I highly recommend this book for everyone. You'll be glad you picked it up!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a follower and proponent of Intuitive Eating I was excited about this new release related to diabetes management. My husband has T2DM and we have always tried to approach managing this from a healthy perspective. Intuitive Eating helps this process so much. This book is great for people who may not be familiar with the original principles of Intuitive Eating and are looking for a non diet and weight inclusive approach to managing diabetes as well as overall wellness. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my review.

[adrionna cox · Rating 1 out of 5]

I dont respect doctors who try not to hurt their patients feelings. Its okay to tell someone that they're being unhealthy. had some good information but most of it was the doctor justifying unhealthy habits

[Kait Vanderlaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this before recommending to clients with diabetes and I think it’s a great resource!

[Tera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review! This book is for anyone who is interested in diabetes, has a loved one with diabetes or has been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Instead of shame, fear and guilt this book offers compassion, science and self empowerment. It helps you to understand more about diabetes, labs and advocating for yourself…not by restricting and dieting but by listening to your body. Highly recommend. Great read

[Al · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you are trying to lower your blood sugar there is nothing helpful in this book. If you are trying to feel good about being overweight, this is the book for you.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that fills an important gap in addressing disordered eating patterns in people with diabetes. The author thoughtfully applies the principles of Intuitive Eating to diabetes management in a practical and compassionate way. After becoming certified as an intuitive eating counselor, I began to question the potential harm I may have contribute to in the past by recommending restrictive diabetes meal plans—plans that patients could rarely follow long term and thereby caused shame and fear. This book confirmed for me that there truly is another way. Although it is written primarily for people living with diabetes, it is also insightful for counseling professionals, and it is a book I will wholeheartedly recommend to help people live at peace with food and their bodies and thrive with a diabetes diagnosis.

[Neils Barringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I begin a review for my brand new Go To All Things Diabetes Guide? As a Registered dietitian I was not sure what to expect with this book, as it "breaks the chains" of what the standard diabetes protocol that is often handed out to those with Diabetes. Janice Dada opens up a bright brand new world of how to manage Diabetes through intuitive eating. She really owns her title providing the reader with No shame, no blame and a non diet approach to managing blood glucose. Sadly often times once diagnosed with Diabetes, clients are given a strict list of do's and don'ts (and the "don't list is very long and restrictive). They are tied to numbers, the scale, measurements, calculations and being told foods to avoid.
This book serves as a wonderful guide to all things Diabetes! I plan on contunuing to refer to this book and sing its praises to my clients.

[Jerome Glassman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good (although brief) overview of intuitive eating and how to adapt it for diabetes. I would highly recommend reading the original Intuitive Eating book by Tribole and Resch before reading this one, so that you have a foundation of intuitive eating and rejecting diet culture to work from. There are lot of books on the subject of intuitive eating now but this is the only one I know of specifically for diabetes, so it's definitely worth a read if you are diabetic and want to change your relationship to food and eating, but I think further reading is going to be needed because this just provides a brief overview.

[Jason Fosse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an eye opener for me into intuitive eating and especially applied to diabetes. I liked that this book went over common blood tests that diabetics go through! I havent heard of intuitive eating before this book, so this was a new interesting eating concept for me !!

[Lael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A refreshing change from the typical. Good information and a great place to start.

[Tomasina Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative information.