Nutrition classes in Myrtle Beach

Good nutrition and healthy eating are an important part of preventing and treating many chronic conditions. The nutrition team at Grand Strand Health provides classes and wellness support to help you set and reach realistic health goals.

For more information about our nutrition services, please contact us at (843) 692-1898 or (843) 692-4446.

Outpatient nutrition services

Grand Strand Health provides consultations for people interested in learning how to eat healthy. Our nutrition experts help patients understand nutrition labels and how to incorporate foods into a healthy eating plan. Provider referral required for MNT or DSMES program participation. For questions or more information about these programs, please contact Nutrition Services at (843) 692-1898 or (843) 692-4446.

Medical nutrition therapy (MNT)

Our registered dietitians use medical nutrition therapy (MNT) to treat certain conditions. MNT is a comprehensive nutrition therapy service that reinforces behavior changes, establishes goals and creates custom nutrition plans. This approach can help patients:

  • Increase energy levels
  • Maintain a healthy body weight
  • Reduce the risk of developing certain chronic diseases, such as renal disease and type 2 diabetes
  • Reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer
  • Reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke (cerebrovascular accident)

Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES)

Our nutrition team makes managing your diabetes easier. We offer a 10-hour comprehensive diabetes education program that includes group classes and a post-class meeting. Diabetes self-management can help you:

  • Eat healthy
  • Increase physical activity
  • Monitor your condition
  • Manage medications
  • Reduce your risk of complications related to diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that causes abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood. Your pancreas produces insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. When you don't produce enough insulin, the result is diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes occurs most frequently in children and adolescents and can develop at any age. With this disease, the body produces little to no insulin. Daily insulin injections are required to keep blood glucose levels under control.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults and accounts for most diabetes cases. With this disease, the body does not properly use the insulin it produces. Most people with type 2 diabetes require oral drugs and/or insulin to manage their blood glucose levels.

Gestational diabetes (GDM)

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. GDM usually disappears after pregnancy. However, it can put the mother and child at higher risk of developing diabetes later in life.

Risk factors for diabetes

People who are 45 years old or older are more likely to develop diabetes. Additional risk factors include:

  • Being overweight
  • Being African American, Native American, Latino, Asian, Indian or Pacific Islander
  • Being previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or having given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
  • Exercising less than 3 times a week
  • Having a parent, brother or sister with type 2 diabetes
  • Having impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes)

Virtual education during the pandemic

Grand Strand Health is pleased to offer a virtual option for outpatient meetings (both for MNT and DSMES) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is available for those who may not feel comfortable coming to an in-person meeting. A provider referral is required just as with the in-person visits. The virtual options are available during the pandemic and covered the same as in-person for Medicare insurance. Coverage for other insurance types may vary. Those who are interested are encouraged to check on their specific insurance coverage before the meeting.