Bronx Symposium Highlights Role of Plant-Based Nutrition in Diabetes Management

The symposium aimed to connect the Bronx community with resources related to nutrition and diabetes care. Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, who was a featured speaker, expressed gratitude towards Montefiore Einstein and other community organizations for their dedication to diabetes awareness. She stated, “If we can make a difference in our fight against diabetes by reversing the diagnoses and preventing it in the first place, think about the message we can send as a borough.”

The event featured healthcare professionals and researchers, including Chef Brandy Cochrane from Plant Powered New York, who conducted a plant-based cooking demonstration. Lianna Levine Reisner, Co-Founder and Network Director of Plant Powered Metro New York, discussed their evidence-based approach to nutrition and addressed myths surrounding plant-based diets. “We’re giving people new information about how to prevent diabetes and how type 2 diabetes can be put into remission,” Levine Reisner noted.

Attendees shared personal accounts of improved health from adopting a plant-based diet, which focuses on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and protein-rich beans, legumes, seeds, and nuts, while reducing animal proteins and processed foods. Certified Diabetes Educator Karla Salinari advised, “If you find yourself hungry between meals, speak to your provider about reevaluating your meals to make them a little more nutrient dense.”

A panel of Montefiore Einstein physicians, including Dr. Mary J. Dominguez, Dr. Pedro P. Maria, and Dr. Sara Velayati, discussed their strategies for treating diabetes and related conditions. Dr. Velayati emphasized, “Food can be medicine; it’s not just fuel,” highlighting that plant-based diets can enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin resistance, crucial aspects of diabetes treatment.

By improving the body's ability to regulate blood sugar, a plant-focused diet can diminish or eliminate the need for medications and prevent the progression of prediabetes to Type 2 diabetes. Moreover, it can help address health issues linked to diabetes, such as obesity and cardiovascular conditions. Montefiore Einstein aims to improve diabetes care in the Bronx, where approximately 16% of adults are affected by the disease, a markedly higher percentage than in other areas of New York City. Research indicates that Bronx patients often face severe complications from diabetes, which can result in significant health risks.