ExtendSnacks' Health Hero Spotlight

ExtendSnacks' Health Hero:
Amber Wamhoff, MA, RD, LD, CDE
Nutrition Exchange
745 Old Frontenac Sq Ste 201
St. Louis, MO 63131
http://www.amberwamhoff.com/

About Amber: "I work with patients at my new private practice, Nutrition ExChange, and at Washington University Clinical Associates. I work with individuals who have chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity or celiac disease. I can recommend ExtendSnacks to almost all of my patients. At the YMCA, I facilitate classes on weight management. I’ve just completed a year-long program called the BODDY study. It looked at the impact of nutrition counseling, along with psychological support, on the health of African Americans with diabetes."

Q #1) Do you have an overall nutrition philosophy? Where do you start?

AW: Many patients come to me and say “I guess you’re going to tell me what I can’t eat…” they’re surprised when the recommendations are the same as anyone else who wants to maintain good health. I tell them to avoid restrictive thinking as that will only sabotage your diet. If you think of food as something you can’t have, you will only want it more. I tell them moderation is key; I help the patient find their own individual strategy that works for them.

#2) What is your advice for the newly diagnosed?

AW: Education, education, education. I tell them to visit reputable websites such as JDRF (if type 1), ADA, DLife, Diabetes Self Management Magazine. I also tell them to seek out free programs in their communities. More education makes the patient more empowered to take care of themselves. I also tell them to find a good team that they can work with for support. Visit a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE); once is not enough, you should see your team for updates at least annually.

#3) What is the most common myth about diabetes you hear from patients?

AW: That you can’t eat sugar. I emphasize moderation and portion control when I tell people that they can eat whatever they want within the parameters of carb counting.

#4) What is the most common myth about nutrition that you hear?

AW: Some people mistakenly think that all carbohydrates are bad and you should stay away from them. There is a lot of extreme discussion regarding carbohydrates causing inflammation, obesity and diabetes. It just becomes another restrictive diet. People think that eliminating a food group can make decisions easier, but it doesn’t work in the long run.

#5) What’s your favorite ExtendSnack?

AW: I’m on auto-ship with ExtendSnacks! I love the chocolate and vanilla shakes. With the chocolate, I add soy milk and a frozen banana and with vanilla I use soy milk and pineapple chunks, like the frozen tidbits.

#6) What’s your favorite story about ExtendSnacks?

AW: I had a patient who developed reactive hypoglycemia in her 80’s. She got cold sweats and just felt really awful for a long time. She went to her endocrinologist and then she saw me. I put her on the ExtendBar as a nighttime snack and that’s when her quality of life changed so much. She felt like she was prescribed a great medicine, but it was just half of a bar each night! It was amazing and I felt great because we helped find a solution for her. This is why ExtendSnacks are so great. They don’t cause a spike and make it even worse... I had another guy with exercise induced hypoglycemia and he found Extend to work too. He really likes the taste as well.

#7) What’s your favorite food to eat in general?

AW: Spinach. I put spinach in almost every meal. I get the organic frozen spinach from Trader Joe’s and throw that in my pastas and casseroles. I cook a lot and don’t really eat out.

#8) What is the most rewarding aspect of your career?

AW: It’s nice to work with highly motivated individuals because these are patients who seek me out. It makes lifestyle change easier because they are ready. But I have loved everything I’ve done including working in food service, nursing homes, and pediatrics. I also loved teaching cooking classes to teenage girls at the YMCA. The girls had never been exposed to cooking before!

With all of my patients, I hope we can develop a relationship and connection so that when they are ready, they come back.