ABOUT ME
Providing culturally tailored nutrition and diabetes care for Asian Americans for 15 years.
MY STORY
Hey there 👋🏻! I’m Karen, a diabetes dietitian with 15 years of experience helping Asian Americans manage their diabetes.
Many of my clients have shared concerns like:
💭”I need someone who understands my culture and diet.”
💭”I want to eat healthier but don’t know how.”
💭”I can’t just eat salads to lower my blood sugar.”
💭”Western medicine contradicts my traditional beliefs.”
💭”My doctor says no rice or noodles, but I can’t give them up.”
💭”I’m eating well and exercising, why no results?”
Nutrition is complex, and balancing cultural foods with health adds another layer. Most mainstream info doesn’t address concepts like 熱氣、燥熱、寒涼 (“hot air”, “hot”, or “cold”).
As a Hong Kong native, I’ve experienced these cultural food differences firsthand. I blend my dietetics education with cultural knowledge to help you effectively manage your blood sugar without sacrificing your favorite foods.
If you’re struggling, it’s not due to laziness or lack of willpower. You just need the right guidance. That’s why I’ve created this platform – to help you navigate diabetes management while honoring your cultural food traditions.
MY COMMITMENT
I’m here to offer you the best support possible. Here’s what I promise:
✅Understand and honor how your culture and experiences shape you 💜
✅Simplify healthy eating – break down science while respecting cultural perspectives 1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
✅Help you enjoy your cultural foods 🍜🍛🍱🍣🥟🍚🥡🍠🥮🍙
✅Teach you to enjoy all foods (even carbs!) without blood sugar spikes or guilt 📉
✅Provide a comprehensive program addressing all aspects of blood sugar management 🏃🏻♀️➡️🛌🧘🏻♀️💊🩸
✅Guide you to a unique blood sugar management plan that fits your life 🦄
✅Make this program accessible to everyone who needs it 🌎
Years of Service
Success Stories
MY APPROACH
Blood sugar management isn’t just about numbers – it’s about you as a whole person.
I believe your care plan should make you feel good and “spark joy”.
Here’s how I create a plan that works for you:
Respect your culture
I believe ALL foods can fit into your meal plan. Your cultural foods and practices will be key parts of your blood sugar care plan.
An all-round approach
We’ll go beyond just healthy eating. Your plan will address all crucial health practice areas for comprehensive care.
Change your mindset
Mindset is vital for long-term success. We’ll work on your frame of mind to set you up for lasting results.
Unique to you
Your health action plan will be tailored to your specific preferences, needs, and dreams.
Build on top of your success
We’ll leverage what you’re already doing well to take your health and wellness to the next level.
This is a meal plan that I can follow. I have found the chips and ice-cream that I can have without spiking my blood sugar. I feel that this meal plan is sustainable.
WORKING TOGETHER
I would love to work with you to achieve your goals. Learn more how we can work together.
For Health Seekers
I continue to develop new programs and materials to fit your needs. Services include:
✅ Free resources
✅ Free newsletter on tips, and the latest in food and diabetes care
✅ One-on-one sessions
✅ 12-week signature programs
For Professional Collaborators
I am happy to discuss opportunities on:
✅ Speaking engagement
✅ Corporate or community workshops
✅ Academic writing
✅ Writing for the public
✅ Creation of educational materials
✅ Research collaboration
✅ Consultation
✅ .. and others!
For my professional background, you may find out more here.
Please feel free to contact me, and I’d love to discuss further about our potential collaboration.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can you share more about your background as a diabetes dietitian?
For the past 15 years, I served as the lead dietitian and diabetes education specialist at the Asian American Diabetes Initiative of Harvard Medical School’s Joslin Diabetes Center. During this time, I:
❇️ Created hundreds of educational materials used nationwide
❇️ Spoke at national and international conferences on diabetes care for diverse populations, especially Asian Americans
❇️ Co-authored national guidelines on nutrition therapy and diabetes self-management education and support
❇️ Contributed to an upcoming guidebook on cultural food practices
❇️ Spoke on Capitol Hill to advocate for Asian Americans
I’ve also:
❇️ Conducted interviews and written articles for various media platforms
❇️ Engaged with healthcare professionals and clients, continually learning from each interaction
My passion lies in helping people with diabetes and prediabetes improve their care while honoring their cultural backgrounds. I’m always inspired by the individuals I meet and work with.
For more details on my professional background, please check out here.
I’m not an Asian/Asian American, but I like your approach, will you still work with me?
OF COURSE!! Over my years of experience, I have had many dear clients who are not of Asian descent. Feel free to schedule a time and chat more with me!
I'm an expecting mother. Will you be able to help me as well?
MOST CERTAINLY! I have helped hundreds of expecting mothers over the past years. You can rest assured that your cultural practice will be addressed in our sessions. One thing I often make sure to talk about towards the end of pregnancy is how to manage healthy eating during the period of confinement (坐月子）.
Do you offer your service in other languages?
YES! I am fluent in Cantonese (廣東話) and Mandarin (國語/普通話)as well.
Do you see people across the country, or even anywhere in the world?
I use virtual sessions for people across the globe.
If you are living in AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, HI, ID, IL, IN, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OK, OR, PA, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, I can provide medical nutrition therapy for you (a more intensive and tailored service).
If you are outside of these states, I can provide nutrition coaching & education for you.
You can join the waitlist for our signature group coaching program GLOW for managing type 1, type 2, or pre-diabetes and GLOW MaMa for managing gestational diabetes, so you can join no matter where you are. Join the waitlist now, and you will be the first to know when the sign-up is open!
I’m a caregiver, and I’d like to learn more about how to better support my dear one with diabetes. Will you be able to help?
ABSOLUTELY! Caregivers are super important in helping people with diabetes succeed in reaching their health goals.
You’re most welcome to join a session with the person you care for who has diabetes.
Or you can schedule an individual session with me (private pay only).
I’m also working on a program tailored for caregivers. If you are interested, sign up for the GLOW Care waiting list!
Do you accept insurance?
Your insurance may cover our one-on-one services. You can check your eligibility here.
For out-of-network services, we can also provide you with a Superbill receipt to submit to your insurance. Depending on your insurance plan, you may receive partial or full reimbursement for the service.
I know that few programs are available that are tailored for Asian Americans. If finance is an issue for you to receive our service, we have limited seats for lower-price services. To find out your eligibility, email me with the subject line “Scholarship Eligibility Request.”
What is your cancellation/late policy?
As a courtesy to accommodate other clients with your appointment slots, we ask that you cancel or reschedule your appointment at least 24 hours in advance through the portal. A late arrival of 10 minutes or more will be considered a no-show. If canceling within 24 hours or a no-show, you may be charged for the full fee of the session.
I've other questions that haven’t been addressed yet. How can I reach out to you?
Feel free to email me or set up a time to chat and learn more.
GOT QUESTIONs?
Share your questions or feedback by filling out the form below. I’d love to hear from you!
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