Hi there 👋🏻,

I took some time off this month to meet up with my friends in Canada, and it was such a refreshing experience! There's something special about connecting with friends and exploring different food cultures together. One of my highlights was joining a Montreal bagel workshop, where I got hands-on experience making this well-known local specialty and learned about the differences between New York and Montreal bagels.

This experience reminded me how food connects us to culture and community – something I see every day in my work with Asian American clients. As we reach the halfway point of 2025, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on our health journey and reconnect with what truly matters to us.

THIS MONTH'S HIGHLIGHTS 📊

Asian cuisines are often thought of as high in carbohydrates and not suitable for people managing diabetes. But this couldn't be further from the truth! I shared a post this month about how traditional Asian ways of eating can actually be incredibly helpful for blood sugar management. The wisdom in our cultural eating patterns – focusing on more vegetables, using minimally processed foods, and lighter cooking methods – aligns beautifully with diabetes management principles. Make sure to check it out if you missed it!

DIABETES INSIGHT 🔍

Speaking of cultural food wisdom, my Montreal bagel experience got me thinking about how different cultures approach similar foods. Montreal bagels are boiled in honey water before baking, while New York bagels use plain water. This small difference creates entirely different textures and flavors – much like how small modifications to our traditional Asian dishes can make them more blood sugar-friendly without losing their cultural essence.

COMING UP NEXT 📅

An upcoming blog post about continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) is coming soon! I'll be covering how these devices can be game-changers for understanding your personal blood sugar patterns, especially when enjoying cultural foods.

Do you have any specific questions about CGMs? Reply to this email and let me know – I'd love to address your concerns in the post.

ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAY ✅

We're halfway through 2025 – can you believe it? It's the perfect time for some meaningful reflection. Here are a few questions to consider:

✨ How far have you come in achieving the health goals you set at the beginning of 2025?
✨ What is one health goal you'd like to prioritize for the remaining months of the year?
✨ What has been working well in your diabetes management over the past 6 months?
✨ What would you like to improve in your diabetes care for the rest of the year?

Take a few minutes to think through these questions. If you'd like to share your mid-year reflection, I'd love to hear from you – your insights often inspire my content and help other community members too!

Till next time!

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👋 About Karen

I'm Karen Lau, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist with over 15 years of clinical experience helping Asian Americans manage diabetes while honoring their cultural traditions. My background in diabetes care at a major medical institution has given me deep insight into creating culturally-informed approaches to blood sugar management. Want personalized support? Schedule your first session here if you are using insurance. Or book a free strategy call to learn how we can work together.

Note: This content is for general knowledge and educational purposes only, not medical advice. While this guide follows current medical guidelines, always consult your healthcare team for personalized recommendations and advice specific to your situation. This newsletter was authored by me, with my professional expertise, clinical experience, and original ideas forming the foundation of the content. Claude, an AI assistant from Anthropic, helped organize and expand my thoughts into this comprehensive newsletter while maintaining my voice and professional perspective.​

To your health—body, mind, and heritage,

Karen​
​Diabetes Dietitian & Diabetes Care Specialist (RDN, CDCES)
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