National Nutrition Month Q&A: Meet Twin Health Member Deb

Food is more than just fuel. It’s a foundational part of our metabolic health. It’s also critical to connection and happiness. With National Nutrition Month in full swing, now is the perfect time to start making the right food choices and developing healthier eating habits. 

At Twin Health, we’re empowering our members to take control of their metabolic health through personalized, data-driven nutrition recommendations. Members like Deb, a 62-year-old quality engineer in Northfield, Ohio, know firsthand how small, achievable lifestyle changes can lead to major – sometimes life-changing – health improvements. 

That’s why we sat down with Deb to talk about her journey with her Digital Twin. Plus, we’re sharing a Twin Health recipe straight from our app, so you can try a delicious, balanced meal for yourself. 

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Twin Health: Tell us a bit about your metabolic health journey. When did you find out about Twin Health?

Deb: I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2015. I was having recurring infections and dental issues, which my dentist attributed to my diabetes. In August of 2022, I had an appointment with my primary care provider. I had just done some routine bloodwork and was expecting good news. Instead, my doctor told me my A1C was 7.3, the highest it had ever been. I weighed 277 lbs. I was already on two diabetes medications, and my doctor recommended insulin. That scared me. Then I learned about Twin Health, and I was all in. 

TH: What medications were you on? 

Deb: I was taking a blood sugar medication and glimepiride for diabetes, along with cholesterol medication and a combination blood pressure pill. I also had insomnia, and was taking sleep medication every night. 

TH: Were you hesitant about using AI?

Deb: Honestly, what scared me most was the diet. I lived on carbohydrates – my favorite meal was corn with mashed potatoes and butter. I loved ice cream, I loved sausage. When my Twin Health coach told me I could keep butter and sausage, but had to cut out mashed potatoes and corn, I was worried. But I was more afraid of insulin.

‍TH: Tell us a bit about the lifestyle changes Twin recommended.  

Deb: Well, I have fibromyalgia, so I wasn’t active at all before starting Twin. Walking 4,000 steps a day felt like walking 20,000 miles. But with Twin’s guidance, I gradually increased my movement. Using the Twin Health app, I could see real-time feedback on how foods affected my glucose levels. That was eye-opening. Just because a food is “green” for someone else doesn’t mean it’s green for me. That understanding changed everything for me – it opened up a whole new world. I could equate what I was eating to how I was feeling, and actually see the difference in my glucose readings.

TH: How has your diet changed over the past few years?

Deb: At first, I only ate salads. I thought I was going to slowly starve to death. Then I started scanning everything at the grocery store to see what’s green, and started introducing other foods. I learned that protein is my friend. I figured out that if I want to eat carbohydrates, I can have a bit as long as I have protein and fiber first. Now, I eat yogurt and fruit or eggs with bacon and cheese for breakfast. I snack on peanuts and popcorn. I love that I can see my Twin evolve over time – what was yellow for me last week might be green for me today. 

TH: What are your go-to foods?
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Deb: There are all kinds of recipes in the Twin app. For me, my favorite is cutting up keto tortillas, adding avocado or olive oil, and putting them in the air fryer to make chips. I take them to Mexican restaurants, or make guacamole at home, and I’m happy. Twin has helped me find ways to continue to go to restaurants. I can order a burger without a bun and put it in a lettuce wrap. I don’t need fries, I can order a side of broccoli. It’s made such a difference in my life and my health. 
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Get our egg, spinach, and bacon breakfast casserole recipe‍

TH: How are you feeling now compared to how you were feeling before Twin?

Deb: I’ve lost more than 50 pounds. I was taken off one of my diabetes medications, and my A1C is down to 6.3. I don’t need sleeping pills anymore, either. My dentist even noticed a transformation in my dental health – my gums used to be pasty and bleeding, but now they’re a healthy pink. When I started Twin, I had no feeling in my feet due to neuropathy. My doctor told me the damage was permanent. But as I progressed through the program, not only did the pain in my feet stop, but I regained feeling. I no longer avoid activity – I like walking, enjoying nature, and staying active at work. It’s been life-changing. 

TH: Why do you stick with Twin?
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Deb: Accountability. I tried other programs, but found ways to cheat the system. With Twin, there’s no tricking myself. The program keeps me engaged and motivated. I feel so much healthier. 

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