City Wellness: Carbohydrate Awareness Session (November 18, 2025)

On November 18, 2025, the city hosted a wellness session led by nutritionist Jacqueline Fedora to educate employees on carbohydrate consumption during Diabetes Awareness Month. The presentation covered the science of digestion, the differences between processed and unprocessed foods, and the impact of sugars and sweeteners on blood glucose levels. Additionally, the city announced a new one-on-one nutrition program launching in December, offering employees insurance-covered sessions with Fedora.

Consent Calendar

• No formal consent calendar items were listed in the transcript; the meeting focused on the educational presentation and the announcement of a new benefit program.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Speaker 1 (Unidentified Employee): Expressed concern regarding the specific quality and nature of vitamins in fortified foods, asking if added vitamins were synthetic or natural.
• Speaker 2 (Unidentified Employee): Inquired about the digestibility of fiber supplements, specifically whether they should be used as a primary source or a supplement, and asked about the brand "Celium husk."
• Speaker 3 (Unidentified Employee): Stated that they are Type 1 diabetic and confirmed that sugar alcohols raise their blood sugar levels.
• Speaker 4 (Unidentified Employee): Asked if sugar-free foods containing sugar alcohols must list them on the nutrition label or if they can be hidden in ingredients.
• Speaker 5 (Unidentified Employee): Requested clarification on whether sugar alcohols are considered "added sugars" on labels.

Discussion Items

• Carbohydrate Fundamentals: Fedora explained that carbohydrates are the body's primary energy source and that average healthy adults should derive approximately 40% of calories from them. She distinguished between unprocessed sources (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes) and processed sources (flour, sugars).
• Fiber Types: The presenter distinguished between soluble fiber (which forms a gel and helps lower cholesterol, found in oats, beans, and apples) and insoluble fiber (which adds bulk and prevents constipation, found in whole grains and vegetables). She noted the average American consumes only about 8 grams of fiber daily, well below the recommended 25 to 30 grams.
• Digestion Mechanics: Discussion covered how digestion begins in the mouth with chewing and saliva enzymes. Fedora explained that unprocessed carbohydrates digest slowly, providing sustained energy, whereas processed carbohydrates cause rapid blood sugar spikes followed by crashes, potentially leading to "rebound hypoglycemia" symptoms like dizziness and shakiness.
• Whole Grains vs. Processed: The session detailed the anatomy of whole grains (bran, germ, endosperm) and how processing removes the bran and germ, leaving mostly endosperm (white flour) and stripping nutrients. Fedora advised looking at ingredient lists where a whole grain is the first item, rather than relying on front-label claims.
• Added Sugars: The average American consumption was cited as roughly 22 teaspoons of added sugar per day. Fedora recommended following World Health Organization guidelines (6 teaspoons for women, 9 for men) and suggested visualizing added sugar quantities using the conversion of 4 grams per teaspoon.
• Sugar Substitutes: Fedora discussed non-nutritive sweeteners (both artificial, e.g., Splenda, and plant-derived, e.g., Stevia), noting they do not raise blood sugar but may desensitize taste buds. She also addressed sugar alcohols (e.g., xylitol, erythritol), confirming they can cause digestive issues like bloating and may partially raise blood sugar for some individuals.
• Dietary Strategy: The speaker advocated for balanced meals containing protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates to ensure satiety and avoid grazing, as well as spreading carbohydrate intake evenly throughout the day.

Key Outcomes

• New Wellness Program Approval: The city approved the launch of a monthly one-on-one nutrition program with Jacqueline Fedora starting in December. Sessions are conducted on-site using city facilities.
• Insurance Coverage: The program utilizes employee insurance, with coverage stated to be at 100% for Anthem members; Fedora will verify coverage for other insurance providers on a case-by-case basis.
• Upcoming Schedule: The next in-person session is scheduled for December 3.
• Resource Distribution: A recording and PowerPoint presentation of the current session will be made available on the city's wellness virtual sessions page.
• Next Meeting: A benefits resource session is scheduled for the following month on November 18 (referencing the date structure of the original meeting, this appears to be a recurring bi-monthly event).