FEAST Program: The Power of Healthy Foods and Human Connection

Para español, cambie el idioma
en la esquina superior derecha

Living with diabetes involves more than managing your blood sugar. It also means caring for your emotional well-being. While a diagnosis often brings feelings of anxiety and uncertainty, finding the right support can empower you to move forward with strength and hope. 

For diabetes patients, the daily effort to monitor glucose, plan meals, stay active and prevent complications can feel exhausting. Many worry about how coping with a chronic disease will impact their families and their future. That’s why addressing both their physical and mental health isn’t optional – it’s essential to healing. 

“The good news is that diabetes and depression can be treated together,” says SFCHC Health Education Manager Rita Jauregui. “We help patients learn how to manage diabetes, delay complications and receive the emotional support they need. Many people aren’t used to sharing how they feel physically or emotionally, which is why they’re often unaware that other family members have diabetes too. Here, they realize they’re not alone.”

Launched about a year ago, SFCHC’s FEAST (Food, Education, Action, Support, Together) program is designed to support each individual’s physical, emotional and mental health. This 12- to 16-week curriculum offers guidance on nutrition, access to education about healthy food choices and ongoing group sharing with an emphasis on peer and emotional support. Participants:

• Receive guidance on nutrition, learning how to use fresh produce and whole grains to cook satisfying, healthy meals.
• Join weekly check-ins and sharing circles to build social connections and gain emotional support, while addressing underlying elements of eating. 
• Address weight management alongside mental health care, recognizing the strong link between better blood sugar control and improved emotional well-being.

The link between mental and physical health is strong. For people living with diabetes, emotional strain can affect how the body functions, such as how it uses insulin. Chronic stress causes the body to release cortisol, a hormone that can raise blood sugar levels and contribute to weight gain – making it harder to stick to a healthy routine.

At the same time, physical symptoms—like fatigue, pain or dietary restrictions—can fuel feelings of frustration, isolation or hopelessness. Without support, the cycle of emotional distress and poor physical health can become hard to break, increasing the risk of complications and reducing quality of life.

“That’s why we focus on treating the whole person,” explained Jauregui. “Our patients can attend group classes and receive one-on-one counseling with licensed behavioral health providers. They have a safe space to express how they feel and learn healthy ways to cope.”

SFCHC also offers a diabetes self-management program with group education, hands-on cooking classes and comprehensive behavioral health services—including individual therapy, support groups and wellness resources for those coping with chronic illness. When mind and body are supported together, long-term health outcomes improve – and so can a person’s confidence and self- esteem. 

“We’re seeing a growing number of young people experiencing depression and anxiety from having diabetes,” added Jauregui. “Through programs like FEAST, we combine nutrition education, peer support and behavioral health resources to help them take charge of their health and have a more positive outlook on life.”

To learn more about SFCHC’s medical and behavioral health services, or to schedule an appointment, please visit www.sfchealthcenter.org or call 818-963-5690. 

Author

Stacy Geere PUBLIC RELATIONS & MARKETING CONSULTANT - Stacy T. Geere is founder and principal of The Geere Group, a full-service public relations and marketing consulting firm. She has over three decades of diverse experience working with clients in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. Stacy has supported high-profile projects in relation to healthcare, environmental sustainability, water and energy conservation, transportation, land use development and other complex issues. Her work has earned both local and national recognition. Stacy has a passion for volunteering her time and leadership to philanthropic causes and is a published book author. www.thegeeregroup.com