Q&A: Chef Kardea Brown and husband Bryon share how they’re tackling Type 2 diabetes as a team

When Bryon Smith, the husband of Food Network chef Kardea Brown, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, his first reaction was fear. With a family history of the condition and seeing first-hand the complications that can come with a diagnosis, he worried it would mean giving up the foods he loves and fundamentally changing his lifestyle.

But Kardea saw things differently, and they quickly learned to tackle this new diagnosis together.

Having previously navigated her own experience with prediabetes in her 20s and grown up around family members with Type 2 diabetes as well, Kardea knew that a diagnosis did not have to be defined by restriction. Instead, the couple approaches it as a team effort, focusing on educating themselves, building healthier habits, and using tools like the FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor with the Libre app,¹ along with its mealtime feature, Libre Assist,² to make informed mealtime decisions.

Now, they're sharing their story to help others replace fear with empowerment — and to prove that a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis doesn't have to be “the end of your food journey.”

What was going through your mind when you first received the diagnosis?

Bryon Smith: Getting the diagnosis was scary. When I got home and sat down with Kardea to figure out what direction we needed to go in and what changes we needed to make, things became a lot clearer. She's very supportive. My first thought was, "I can't have sweets anymore. I can't have pasta and rice and all the things I love."

Kardea Brown: I told him, "This is not the end." It's just a step in our journey. A Type 2 diabetes diagnosis doesn't mean you can never enjoy foods you love again. It's about moderation and making simple changes that become part of your lifestyle instead of feeling like a restrictive diet.

Looking back, were there any signs before the diagnosis?

Bryon: My energy level was lower than usual, and I was thirsty more often. I already drink a lot of water, but I noticed I was drinking even more. But I honestly didn't think much about it. I went to the doctor for a routine checkup because I like to stay on top of my health, and that's when I found out. I'm glad I went when I did.

How have the FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor along with Libre Assist helped you navigate this journey?

Bryon: It's been very empowering. I can take a picture of my meal and see whether it may have a minor, moderate or major impact on my glucose levels³. It's helped me understand how different foods affect me and whether I need to make adjustments.

I've also learned that the order I eat foods matters. Eating fiber, protein and healthy fats before carbohydrates has been really helpful.

Kardea: As the person who does most of the cooking in our house, it's helped me make better decisions in the kitchen. Instead of guessing what might affect Brian's glucose levels, I can actually see how a meal might affect his glucose levels³, so I can make small adjustments to how I prepare meals.

Have there been any surprising discoveries along the way?

Bryon: Definitely. One of the biggest surprises was realizing I didn't have to give up things like red velvet cake.

Kardea: We found ways to make some of our favorite foods work for us. For the red velvet cake, I swapped all-purpose flour for almond flour and used alternative sweeteners instead of traditional sugar. The texture is still great, and you still get that classic red velvet flavor.

Another big lesson was learning how much food pairing matters. We thought something like a baked potato would automatically cause a major glucose spike, but when we pair it with fiber-rich foods like broccoli, brussels sprouts or collard greens, it helps keep Bryon’s glucose steady.

What are some of your favorite food swaps?

Kardea: We love grits, so we started adding cauliflower to our grits to help balance the meal. Another favorite swap is using chickpea-based pasta instead of traditional pasta in dishes like macaroni and cheese.

I also love using spiralized zucchini in place of some pasta dishes. There are so many alternatives available now that weren't around years ago.

The biggest takeaway is that small changes add up.

What advice would you give to other couples navigating a new Type 2 diabetes diagnosis?

Kardea: First, know that you're not alone. There are so many couples going through this journey.

For us, this actually brought us closer together because we're navigating it as a team. If your spouse is making changes, make those changes alongside them. I'm not going to sit there and eat a traditional red velvet cake while Bryon eats a modified version. We're in it together.

This can become something that strengthens your relationship. We take walks together. We make healthy choices together. We learn together.

Bryon: Agree. One of the biggest things was Kardea wanting to understand my diabetes and educate herself. Having that support has meant everything.

Why was it important to share your story publicly?

Bryon: Type 2 diabetes affects so many people, especially in the Black community. I've seen it firsthand in my own family. That's why it felt important to speak up and help get information out there.

Kardea: We wanted to help remove some of the fear and stigma around a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis and replace it with empowerment.

What's the one message you hope people remember?

Bryon: This is not the end of your food life. You can still enjoy the foods you love. You just have to make some changes and practice moderation.

Kardea: And don't be afraid to talk to your doctor. Get informed. Ask questions. Learn about your options. The more educated you are, the more empowered you'll feel.

FAQs

What is a CGM?

CGM stands for continuous glucose monitor. Unlike traditional blood glucose monitoring that provides a single reading at a specific moment, a CGM provides ongoing glucose data throughout the day and night, detecting trends and tracking patterns.

What is the FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor?

The FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor is the world’s smallest^4,5 wearable sensor that continuously tracks glucose levels and automatically sends glucose readings every minute to the Libre app.¹

What is Libre Assist?

Libre Assist² is a feature within the Libre app¹ designed to help people living with diabetes make informed food choices. Using AI technology, it predicts how a meal could impact³ a person's glucose levels and provides personalized food suggestions⁶ to help lower the glucose impact before they eat.

How does Libre Assist work?

Users can either snap a photo of their meal or enter a text description. Libre Assist² analyzes the food and provides a prediction of its potential glucose impact³. It then offers food suggestions⁶ to help lower glucose impact. After the meal, glucose data from a connected FreeStyle Libre 2 or 3 system sensor will show the actual glucose impact.

References

¹The FreeStyle Libre systems apps are only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check our website for more information about device compatibility before using the apps. Use of the FreeStyle Libre systems apps may require registration with LibreView.

²Libre Assist is a feature within Libre app that uses generative artificial intelligence to provide information on how foods could impact your glucose levels. Generative artificial intelligence may not always be accurate, and it should not be used to make treatment decisions.

³Predicted glucose impact is based on user-provided food data and may differ from actual impact, which depends on sensor readings and factors like activity, stress, medication, and alcohol. For personalized advice, consult your healthcare provider.

⁴Among patient-applied sensors.

⁵Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care, Inc. 

⁶Personalized food suggestions are based on food preference information inputted by the user.

Disclaimer

The views expressed should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice. Individual symptoms, situations and circumstances may vary.