Dietitian for type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Control your blood sugar with food that fits your medication and your daily life, guided by dietitians with a postgraduate qualification in Nutrition and Diabetes.
Weight & metabolic health · Amsterdam and Almere · no referral needed
Does this sound familiar?
With diabetes, everything you eat has a direct effect on your blood sugar. That can make you unsure: what can you still eat, and what not? Good dietary support is the difference between constant swings and stable readings.
Who is this guidance for?
If you recognise yourself in one or more of these situations, a dietitian is a logical next step. Not sure? A single question by e-mail is answered free of charge.
- You have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and want to know what you can do yourself
- You have type 1 diabetes and want to get better at matching carbohydrates and insulin
- You have prediabetes or a raised fasting blood sugar and want to prevent diabetes
- Your blood sugar swings despite medication, or you have gained weight because of your medication
- Your GP (huisarts) has referred you within the diabetes care network (ROHA)
What we do
- Nutritional advice tailored to your type of diabetes and your medication
- Clear explanation of carbohydrates, reading food labels and practical choices
- Support within the integrated care networks (ROHA, ReHA Almere, Zorg voor Zuid, Huisarts en Zorg), with no deductible
- Guidance by dietitians with the postgraduate (post-hbo) qualification in Nutrition and Diabetes
- Advice that fits what you eat at home, whatever cuisine that is
How nutrition helps with diabetes
In type 2 diabetes your body responds less well to insulin, so your blood sugar stays too high. Food, exercise and weight have a direct effect on this. In type 1 diabetes your body no longer makes insulin itself; the focus is then on matching carbohydrates and insulin to each other. In both cases the dietitian is a standard part of treatment under the Dutch GP guideline (NHG-Standaard) for type 2 diabetes and the NDF dietary guideline for diabetes.
During the programme you learn which carbohydrates raise your blood sugar quickly and which slowly, how to read food labels and how to build meals that keep you full without spikes. We take your medication into account, such as metformin, insulin or GLP-1 medicines, and what is on the table at your home. Our dietitians have completed the postgraduate (post-hbo) course in Nutrition and Diabetes, the advanced training for dietitians who support people with diabetes.
Within the integrated care network (ketenzorg) we work together with your GP and the practice nurse (praktijkondersteuner). We discuss your blood sugar results and HbA1c together, so that the dietary advice lines up with the rest of your treatment.
What to expect from your programme
The aim is more stable blood sugar, a better understanding of what food does to your readings and, where relevant, a healthier weight. In many people with type 2 diabetes the readings improve with the right diet; any change to medication is always made by your doctor. We measure weight and body fat percentage at every review (and circumferences where useful) and go through your lab results with you.
We make no promises about kilos or timelines. What we do is measure the same way at every evaluation, so you see your progress in black and white.
How your programme works
Four clear steps, from sign-up to evaluation. All within the cover of your basic health insurance, at our locations in Amsterdam or Almere, at home or online.
Sign up
Online in a few minutes, no referral letter needed. Choose a location, a home visit or a video call, and your preferred time. We get in touch within one working day.
± 3 minutes
60-minute intake appointment
Full screening with weight and body-fat measurement (circumference measurements where useful), a dietary history and personal advice straight away. Afterwards we work out your plan and sample day menu (30 minutes).
60 + 30 minutes
Personal plan
Treatment goals and an eating pattern that fits your life and schedule, with consultations spread across the year. No standard lists, but choices you can keep up.
after the intake
Guidance and measuring
In follow-up consultations we discuss your progress, answer your questions and measure again, so your progress becomes visible and we can adjust in time.
at your pace
Is a dietitian for diabetes covered?
Yes. Dietary advice is covered for three hours per calendar year under the Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering), with no referral letter needed. With supplementary insurance you are often entitled to more sessions. If you are over 18, your deductible (eigen risico) applies, except within an integrated care network (ketenzorg). We are contracted with all Dutch health insurers and bill them directly, so you receive no invoice.
If your care falls under integrated care (ketenzorg, for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk or COPD), dietary advice is fully covered by the basic package and your deductible (eigen risico) is not touched. Your GP (huisarts) arranges the referral for this.
Dietitian without a referral letter
For dietary advice you do not need a referral from your GP (huisarts): you sign up directly online and we get in touch within one working day. Only if you want to be guided within integrated care (ketenzorg), so that your deductible is not touched, does your GP request a referral. Where useful, we always coordinate with your GP or specialist.
Frequently asked questions about diabetes
Is diabetes dietary support covered by Dutch health insurance?
Yes. Within the integrated care network (ketenzorg) via your GP, dietary advice is fully covered by the basic health insurance (basisverzekering) without touching your deductible (eigen risico). Outside the care network the standard cover applies: three hours per year from the basic insurance, with no referral letter needed.
Can I reduce my diabetes medication through diet?
In many people with type 2 diabetes the readings improve considerably with the right diet. Any change to your medication is always decided together with your doctor.
Do I need a referral for a diabetes dietitian?
Only if you want to be supported within the integrated care network (ketenzorg), so that your deductible (eigen risico) is not charged. In that case, ask your GP (huisarts) for a referral to the dietitian within the diabetes care network. Outside the care network you can register directly.
How often will I see the dietitian?
Usually an intake of 60 minutes (plus 30 minutes of preparation time on our side) followed by follow-up sessions of 45 or 30 minutes spread across the year: every few weeks at first and less often later on. Within the care network we agree the number of sessions with your GP.
Can I fast if I have diabetes?
That depends on your type of diabetes, your medication and how stable your readings are. Always discuss this with your doctor first. If you want to fast, for example for religious reasons, we help you with a safe distribution of meals and medication across the day.
Can I see a dietitian online in the Netherlands?
Yes. Online video consultations are covered in exactly the same way as an appointment at one of our locations, wherever you live in the Netherlands. You can also mix and match: the intake in Amsterdam or Almere, for example, and the follow-up sessions from home. Let us know your preference when you register.
A dietitian near me
Guidance for diabetes is available at all our locations in Amsterdam and Almere, at home or by video call. Choose whichever is easiest for you.
- Dietitian Amsterdam SlotervaartGezondheidscentrum Slotervaart, Louwesweg 6, Amsterdam
- Dietitian Amsterdam ZuidoostHuisartsenpraktijk Zuidoost, Florijn 5A, Amsterdam
- Dietitian Amsterdam OokmeerHuisartsenpraktijk Ookmeer, Notweg 30-A, Amsterdam
- Dietitian Almere Stad, Almere
- Online or at home. Video calls are covered in the same way; home visits in Amsterdam and Almere for anyone who finds it hard to leave the house.
Related treatments
All seventeen treatments- Dietitian for gestational diabetes (GDM)Stable blood sugar during your pregnancy, without a strict diet, through conscious choices.
- Dietitian for overweight and obesityLasting weight loss without a crash diet, with a way of eating that fits your life and your culture.
- Dietitian for cardiovascular diseaseFood that protects your heart and blood vessels: practical, tasty and sustainable.
- GLI: lifestyle coaching covered by insuranceTwo years of support on nutrition, exercise and behaviour, fully covered, with no deductible.
Clear explanations and I can easily keep it up.
Very happy with the help, especially from Britt. Clear explanations and I can easily keep it up. Very happy with it.
Start today with guidance for diabetes
Sign up in a few minutes. We get in touch within one working day to plan your intake, at our locations in Amsterdam or Almere, at home or online. Covered by basic health insurance, no referral needed.