Why Carbs Aren't the Enemy (And What Actually Matters for Blood Sugar) with Ben Tzeel, RD

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Struggling to find real, practical guidance for managing diabetes, even after meeting with healthcare providers? Most people walk away with generic meal plans, rigid carb rules, and very little clarity on how to actually live their life with stable blood sugars. That confusion often leads to overwhelm, restriction, and feeling like your entire world now revolves around food and numbers.

In this episode, I sit down with Ben Tzeel RD, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for more than 26 years. Ben shares the real-world strategies no one talks about, the kind that genuinely help you understand your body, steady your blood sugars, enjoy your favorite foods (yes, even cake), and break free from overthinking every bite.

You’ll learn how to pair meals in a way that supports your goals, use movement intentionally, improve insulin sensitivity, choose smarter snacks, and simplify your routine so diabetes fits into your life, not the other way around.

References

Connect with Ben:

Website

Instagram: @manoftzeell

TikTok: @manoftzeel

Products Mentioned:

Legendary Foods pop tarts & sweet rolls // Crisp Power pretzels // Skinny Dips dark chocolate peanut butter cups // Rise Bars // RxSugar (allulose sweetener) // Quest protein bars // Devotion Nutrition protein powder

Other Resources:

Sweetphi blog

Audio Stamps

01:20 - Ben Tzeel RD shares his personal journey with Type 1 diabetes and how it led him to become a registered dietician and diabetes educator.

03:55 - The first challenge most people face: making peace with carbs and avoiding restrictive thinking around food.

05:17 - How to manage overwhelm after diagnosis: start simple with food journaling to build awareness.

06:45 - Quick tips for high blood sugar and long-term nutritional strategies for stable glucose levels.

12:10 - Common myths about blood sugar and carbs, plus understanding morning insulin resistance.

19:20 - Ben's favorite balanced snacks that work for blood sugar management.

27:20 - The truth about artificial sweeteners: which ones help, which ones to avoid.

32:43 - Go-to

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

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