Hi! I’m SaRene
RDN, LD, CDCES, & Educator at Above Diabetes
*Published writer and public speaker for diabetes-related learning
Diabetes has always been a part of my life. I was raised in a home with a father who had type 1. This was back in the days of long injection needles and urine glucose testing. I went on to have 2 sons diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I have seen the positive impact of advancement in technology and learned the effect diabetes has on the individual and all those around them. My experiences have led me to a career I love of helping others adjust to life with diabetes.
I graduated from Utah State University with a degree in dietetics and became a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). I then went on to earn my credential as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES). My professional experience includes providing self-management education for type 1 and type 2 diabetes and lifestyle modification programs for prediabetes. I create specialized strategies with nutritional interventions for weight loss and for improved health outcomes. I have also spent many rewarding hours of diabetes-related volunteer work on a local, state, and national level. I enjoy family time as a wife, mom and grandma. I am an outdoor enthusiast and creative cook. I truly believe that by learning a personalized approach to diabetes self-management an individual can be
empowered to make decisions that will lead to a healthy relationship with their diabetes while doing the things they love. I take pleasure in helping others along their journey with diabetes no matter where they are on their path. I know every step is important and no success is too small!
“YOU make you awesome” ~SaRene Brooks
SaRene Brooks, RDN, LD, CDCES
Dietitian and Diabetes Educator
How To Get Started with SaRene:
- Schedule Your Appointment: Click below and select SaRene Brooks to book with me.
- Fill Out Intake Paperwork: Complete the quick form (5-10 minutes).
- Insurance Check: We’ll confirm if we’re in-network.
- Verify Coverage: Use our guide to check how many visits are covered and if there’s a copay.
Exercise is Difficult
CLIENT BEFORE: “Exercise is difficult. Sometimes it makes me drop, other times it makes me go high. I thought exercise is supposed to make everyone drop! What is wrong with my body??”
CLIENT AFTER: “There are two main different types of exercise (aerobic and anaerobic). Consistent aerobic activity makes my BG drop after about 15 min, especially if I have insulin on board (IOB) and anaerobic typically makes my BG rise. The harder I push with my anaerobic exercise, the faster my BG spikes. I can use both types of exercise as tools and strategize my insulin delivery for better blood sugar management.”
Super Yummy Food…Never again?
CLIENT BEFORE: I can never eat super delicious foods again. It completely destroys my blood sugar. Which then just makes me not eat it, then I finally give in, binge, and then my BG is really all over the place.
CLIENT AFTER: While it’s important to keep the majority of my diet full of plants, lean protein, and heart-healthy fats; I need room to enjoy life with my loved ones and at celebrations. With a little strategy such as a profile with more aggressive settings for my basal, correction, and carb, I can enjoy the celebrations AND still keep decent blood sugar levels. And if my BG is a little messy compared to my usual, it’s a learning experience and it for a small moment rather than my usual day-to-day.
Timing of Insulin is Confusing
CLIENT BEFORE: “I do not understand timing with my insulin before meals. I’m always going high or low, or both! My glucocoaster (glucose + rollercoaster) is very tiring physically and emotionally exhausting.”
CLIENT AFTER: “By using my CGM or BG test readings before my meals, and deciding on the macronutrients I’ll be eating, I can have much more stable pre- and post-prandial blood sugar. After working with Ariel and looking at my CGM reports, I know if I am eating something low in carbs (less than 15 g), and my BG is close to target range, I do not need to bolus 15 minutes beforehand. It’s more like 5 minutes. However, if I’m above target or I’m eating high carbs, I will need to increase the amount of time between my bolus and eating. If my BG is above target AND I’m eating high carbs, I know to add even more time between bolusing and eating. Also, it’s good practice to start a meal with the fiber/protein/fat part of my meal first and the carb portion last so that I can delay and reduce my BG from spiking.”
Rationing Insulin and Weight Gain
CLIENT BEFORE: Insulin makes me gain weight so I rather limit my insulin for my meals and then if I go high, I’ll correct to get back to target range. I often go high, but it’s better than taking SO much insulin before a meal. This strategy will help me lose weight.
CLIENT AFTER: My previous thinking was completely wrong. When I do not take enough insulin before a meal, it actually requires MORE insulin to correct my high blood sugar. Not only that, the consistent highs can worsen body inflammation and make weight loss even more difficult AND the drastic BG drop can aggressively increase my appetite. Not to mention, the BG swings cause me to get a bit moody and very tired. This can be difficult for my friends, family, and significant other. While it’s been a mind game to reset the way I think, I understand that by giving myself the amount of insulin my body requires BEFORE a meal, it not only improves my time in range, takes out the BG swings, bad mood, low energy, decreases inflammation, and reduces longterm complications and guilt, but it actually reduces my total daily insulin?? I never knew!
AREAS OF SPECIALTY
Below are areas where I, as a Certified Diabetes Educators and Registered Dietitian and healthcare provider who has type one diabetes, can help you.
INSULIN RESISTANCE & PCOS
For those struggling with stable blood sugar, energy, and no matter what you do, are unable to loose weight. As a dietitian with an extensive background in diabetes, I can teach you how to take charge of your nutrition and exercise for lasting changes that treat your insulin resistance.
TYPE 1 DIABETES & LADA
For those diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes. We will cover everything that is affecting your blood sugar management: nutrition, exercise, hormones, sleep, stress. We will also cover the latest tech, how to adjust settings and dosing, exercise strategies, and much more.
TYPE 2 DIABETES
For those who can benefits from improve their diet and exercise and all options (holistic and clinical) to treat insulin resistance. We will first start with diet options, then exercise, and from there, talk about possible clinical options so you can optimize treatment for your personal needs
NUTRITION & DIETS
For those struggling with food sensitivities or know they need to follow a particular diet, but don’t know where to start. Every person needs a diet personalized to their body, immune system, and health goals. As a dietitian, I can help you with a specialized diet such as plant-based, keto, carnivore, paleo, mediterranean, and more. Together, we will design a diet that works for you and your health goals
EXERCISE PROGRAMS
For those struggling to start an exercise program that they enjoy and can commit to. For those who may need guidance with their diabetes and insulin management who need a strategy to reduce exercise-induced lows. For those how need exercise to help reduce insulin resistance and to improve stable blood sugar control. Together, we will go create an actionable plan to get you moving.
INSULIN PUMPS & CGMS
For those who are interested in improving their diabetes management with the use the latest available tech. I am a certified trainer for the following systems:
• Tandem with Tslim X2
• Medtronic with 780G
• Insulet with Omnipod 5
I am also well-versed in DIY Loop Systems, Libre, Guardian and Dexcom CGMs.
SaRene Brooks, RDN, LD, CDCES
Dietitian and Diabetes Educator
How To Get Started with SaRene:
- Schedule Your Appointment: Click below and select SaRene Brooks to book with me.
- Fill Out Intake Paperwork: Complete the quick form (5-10 minutes).
- Insurance Check: We’ll confirm if we’re in-network.
- Verify Coverage: Use our guide to check how many visits are covered and if there’s a copay.
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