Hi there,
As we close out 2025, I'm writing to you from a place of reflection and gratitude.
This past month, I took time away to visit family during the holidays. I've also been working on a textbook chapter on diabetes care—still more work to do there, but it's coming along!
As we wrap up the year, I invite you to think about your health journey—not with judgment, but with curiosity and compassion.
📊 THIS MONTH'S HIGHLIGHTS
Five Questions for Your Health Reflection
Here are five powerful questions to explore:
1. What were your health goals for this year?
Take a moment to revisit what you hoped to achieve—whether written down or kept in your heart.
2. What were your wins?
Celebrate every victory. Did you check your blood sugar more consistently? Successfully navigate a family gathering? Start finding joy in food again? These wins matter.
3. What were the challenges?
Be honest about what made things difficult—family pressure around food, stress affecting sleep, difficulty maintaining routines. Acknowledging these challenges helps us address them.
4. What's one small change that could make a big difference?
Not "what did you do wrong"—but what support do you need? What small adjustment might have the biggest impact?
5. What's your goal for next year?
Set one meaningful, achievable goal that honors both your health and your life.
Want accountability? Reply to this email with your 2026 health goal. I read every response and would be honored to support you.
🔍 DIABETES INSIGHT
What's New in the 2026 Standards of Care
The American Diabetes Association just released updated Standards of Care for 2026, and there's an important change that's particularly relevant for Asian Americans managing diabetes:
Yearly screening for emotional well-being—The guidelines now recommend yearly screening for people with diabetes for diabetes distress, anxiety, fear of hypoglycemia, disordered eating, and depression as part of routine diabetes care.
For Asian Americans, this update is especially significant. In many of our cultures, there's stigma around discussing emotional struggles, and the emotional burden of managing diabetes often goes unaddressed. These guidelines acknowledge what many of us know: managing diabetes affects more than just blood sugar—it impacts our emotional well-being, our family relationships, and our quality of life.
This validates that when we feel overwhelmed by diabetes management, it's not a personal failing. It's a signal that we need support for these dimensions of our health alongside nutrition and medication.
Want to learn more? You can read the full 2026 Standards here.
📅 COMING UP NEXT
🎉 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: In-Person Visits Now Available!
Starting in January 2026, I'm now offering in-person consultations for clients in Massachusetts!
Whether you prefer the convenience of telehealth or the personal connection of in-person care, you now have both options.
Know someone in Massachusetts who could benefit from culturally-informed diabetes care? Please share this with them—word-of-mouth from you means everything.
Ready to book?
✅ ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAY
Your One Action This Week:
Complete this sentence:
"In 2026, I see myself as someone who _____________ with my diabetes, and the one thing that would help me step into that identity is _____________."
Write it down or reply to this email. I'll personally respond to each one.
✉️ Find this newsletter helpful? Forward it to a friend who might benefit too!
📚 New to our newsletter? Catch up on previous issues and explore our archive here.
👋 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—now available in-person for Massachusetts residents!
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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