Joanne Lyford

Joanne was previously an advocate for Type2Diabetes.com

Diabetes touched me personally as an impressionable high school student. My older sister was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. As she began making changes in her life, at the same time I was struggling with my weight and frequent headaches. After a five hour blood test, I discovered I had Reactive Hypoglycemia – a condition once thought to be a precursor to Type 2 diabetes. My headaches and irritability were caused when my blood sugar dropped low – the same symptoms my sister suffered as well. Visiting with a dietitian helped me better understand how to eat to manage my blood sugar. I lost some weight and felt much better. For me, nutrition proved to be very potent “medicine”. So powerful in fact I decided to study nutrition.

As a Registered Dietitian for over 30 years, and a Certified Diabetes Educator my passion has always been to help empower clients with the resources and tools to not only achieve their health goals but also maintain a balanced approach to eating and enjoying food. I’ve tried to “practice what I preach” for my own health and modeling for my kids. Many grateful clients along with family members and friends have sought me out as resource. Anyone managing day to day life with a chronic health condition like diabetes needs a supportive community to live well.

I love living in the Northwest and enjoy hiking, cooking, edible gardening, music and writing short stories and poetry. I’m an avid sports fan and spend time with my husband, two daughters and two cats as much as possible.

Click here to read all of Joanne's articles on Type2Diabetes.com.