Constance Brown-Riggs Teaches Black America That Food Can Be Medicine

Let me tell you about Constance Brown-Riggs.

There’s a dietitian who spent decades making one thing clear: you do not have to give up soul food to be healthy. Her name is Constance Brown-Riggs, and she’s built a career — and a shelf of books — teaching people with diabetes how to eat well without abandoning the food they love.

The Work

Constance is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified diabetes care and education specialist with more than 30 years of experience. Through her practice, CBR Nutrition Enterprises, and her platform Eating Soulfully, she’s dedicated her professional life to empowering people living with diabetes through education, practical advice, and culturally grounded guidance.

She’s also an author — and a decorated one. Two of her books, *Living Well with Diabetes 14 Day Devotional* and *Diabetes Guide to Enjoying Foods of the World*, earned Gold Hermes Creative Awards. She’s also written *The African American Guide to Living Well With Diabetes*, which carries a favorable-review designation from the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and *Eating Soulfully and Healthfully with Diabetes*.

Her specialty is the intersection most diet advice ignores: nutrition, diabetes, and the cultural realities that shape how people of color actually eat and live.

The Roots

Constance has led at the highest levels of her field. She’s a past chair of the Diabetes Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a former board member of the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists, past president of both the New York State and Long Island Dietetic Associations, and a former national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Her work has appeared in Essence, Real Health, Diabetic Living, and Diabetes Forecast, and she’s a regular contributor to *Today’s Dietitian*, where she also serves on the advisory board.

Why You Should Know Her

Here’s why Constance Brown-Riggs matters right now: Black adults are disproportionately affected by diabetes, and the standard advice often asks them to give up the foods that mean home. Constance refused that trade-off. She proved you could keep the flavor and protect your health at the same time.

That’s not just nutrition counseling. That’s cultural respect written into a medical plan.

Quick facts:

• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist & Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist
• Principal, CBR Nutrition Enterprises · founder of Eating Soulfully
• Author of four diabetes-focused books (two Gold Hermes Award winners)
• Past chair, Diabetes Dietetic Practice Group (Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics)
• 30+ years in nutrition & diabetes care

Photo courtesy of Constance Brown-Riggs / eatingsoulfully.com