The Diabetes Education Center offers several classes at no charge. Information can be provided in either an individual or group setting. For more information about a specific class or to register, please call (515) 643-5100.

• Healthy Habits
  This free informational class is offered once a month and focuses on making smarter food choices, increasing your physical activity and getting the most nutrition out of your calories. The class is not tailored to a specific disease state.
• Insulin Pumps at a Glance
  The information presented in this free class is intended for patients who would like to learn more about insulin pumps—including what they can and cannot do and if this type of insulin delivery is appropriate for them. This class is offered once per month.
• Live Healthy, Cook Healthy, Be Healthy
  

  Sponsored by Iowa Diabetes & Endocrinology Center and Mercy Weight Loss & Nutrition Center, Live Healthy, Be Healthy and Cook Healthy is a three-pronged approach to healthy living. The program, which is held at the YMCA Healthy Living Center (Y-HLC) in Clive, consists of a weekly exercise class, followed by fellowship time and an educational series. The exercise class is open to all Y-HLC members and the general public is welcomed and encouraged to attend the educational class. There is no fee to attend the educational series. The educational class will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. each Tuesday evening in the Demonstration Kitchen at the Healthy Living Center. For more information, call (515) 358-9400.

  
  

Referral-based classes

The following classes are not free; however, the fee is generally reimbursed by insurance and requires a physician order. Contact your physician and ask them to refer you for education.

• Catch-up on Carb Counting
  This informational session reviews the effects of carbohydrates on blood sugars. It also looks at counting the grams of carbohydrates in foods. This class is held once a month.
• Diabetes Update
  An informational session that is intended for patients who have received comprehensive diabetes self-management education in the past, but need a refresher. This class is held once per month.
• Gestational Diabetes Education
  Gestational diabetes group classes are held twice a week, year-round.

Comprehensive Diabetes Self-Management Education

• Session 1: Diabetes: What’s it All About?
  Provides a general overview—including glucose monitoring, exercise and basic nutrition concepts

• Session 2: Meal Planning Basics and Beyond
  Medications and Management
  Looks at meal planning tools, oral medications and insulin

• Session 3: Taking Care of Yourself
  Participants discuss acute complications, sick day guidelines, personal health habits, chronic complications, stress, changing behaviors and goal setting.