DeLand Foot and Leg Center

01/09/2026

Foot Focus Friday

Official Statement: Navigating the 2025–2030 Federal Dietary Guidelines
To our patients and community,

In light of the recently released 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Dr. Jenneffer Pulapaka wishes to clarify our stance on nutrition and public health. As your medical providers, our primary duty is to provide you with guidance based on rigorous, peer-reviewed science, not political shifts or industry-driven ideology.

Our Scientific Perspective
While we strongly endorse the new federal emphasis on reducing ultra-processed foods and added sugars—a move that is long overdue—we find other aspects of the new guidelines to be contradictory and inconsistent with 75 years of cardiovascular and metabolic research.

Specifically, we have concerns regarding:

The Prioritization of Animal Fats: The new recommendation to prioritize butter, beef tallow, and full-fat dairy ignores the clear link between high saturated fat intake and cardiovascular disease.

The Protein "Narrative": Most Americans already consume adequate protein. Suggesting a massive increase in animal-sourced protein while de-emphasizing plant-based fiber sources (like legumes and seeds) is not supported by current clinical evidence.

The "Retro" Approach: These guidelines move away from modern, plant-forward research and back toward 1950s-era dietary patterns, a period characterized by high rates of heart disease.

Nutrition is Science, Not Ideology
We believe that nutrition is a pillar of medicine, not a platform for political statements. While the current administration has framed these changes as a departure from "leftist ideology," we believe that health should have no political affiliation. Personal choice is paramount—how you eat is a deeply personal decision. However, just as we would never tell a patient it is safe to "run around a slippery pool deck with scissors," we cannot in good conscience recommend a diet high in animal fats and low in essential plant-based nutrients as a primary health strategy.

Our Recommendation to You
Our practice will continue to follow the preponderance of scientific evidence. For most patients, this means:

Prioritizing whole, plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits, and grains).

Choosing lean protein sources and heart-healthy unsaturated fats (like olive oil and nuts).

Strictly limiting ultra-processed "packaged" foods (the one point where we and the new guidelines agree).

Eating more meat and animal fat will not replace the fundamental protection provided by modern medicine, including essential vaccinations. We remain your partners in health, committed to facts over "old wives' tales" or political trends.

In Health, DeLand Foot and Leg Center

01/01/2026

12/31/2025

Wrapping up 2025 has us feeling incredibly grateful. This year we helped heal wounds and bring comfort to patients, even when cancer ended their journey. We turned scared teens with ingrown toenails into pain-free kids after just one visit. We listened to complex patients who told us they felt truly heard for the first time in decades. We had patients tell us they wish Dr. Jenneffer was their primary care doctor because in one visit she did more for them than they’d experienced in years.

None of this happens without an amazing team. From an office manager who treats everyone like her own grandparents, to a Medical Assistant in funky socks who makes people smile, to a receptionist who goes beyond with kindness, then to a doctor who genuinely cares about the whole person..not just the problem.

Thank you to our patients for trusting us and to our team for showing up with heart every single day. Here’s to carrying that same care into the new year!

12/29/2025

We need to talk about the "silent" complications of diabetes.
Far too often, podiatric care is sidelined until a situation becomes critical. This patient [referencing photo] delayed seeking help, and now we are facing a complex road to recovery.
Don't wait for the "red flag." If you or a loved one are living with diabetes, routine foot exams are non-negotiable. Early intervention is the difference between a simple bandage and a surgical suite.

12/26/2025

Foot Focus Friday

When you’re so focused on feet and healthcare that even your house anatomy is medically correct…

In casual conversation today, Dr. Jenneffer Pulapaka referred to the A/C unit for her two-story home as the “lower extremity A/C unit.”

Because of course she did. Once a podiatrist, always a podiatrist. Feet on the brain. Healing on the mind. Always.

Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry American College of Lifestyle Medicine

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at DeLand Foot and Leg Center

Today is about slowing down, soaking up the moments that matter, and being grateful—for family, friends, good health, and our wonderful patients who trust us with their care all year long.

We hope your day is filled with warmth, laughter, and maybe a little extra time off your feet. Thank you for being part of our community. Wishing you peace, joy, and a very Merry Christmas from our entire staff!

12/24/2025

Just a reminder for everyone to visit Oakdale Cemetery for their Candle Light Car tour - Lumineers. The lighting of the candle starts at 5:30. Hope to see some people out there.

PS: This is our location for our Walk With A Doc DeLand chapter. We meet every third Monday of the month. We start at 4:45 p.m. The walk is from 5:00 to 5:30. Bring a friend, it's free and it's about exercise and community.

12/23/2025

Big news in the world of metabolic health: The FDA just approved a pill version of the weight-loss injectable, Wegovy.

As a Podiatrist specializing in Lifestyle Medicine, I’m often asked, "Why do you care about weight loss drugs?" The answer is simple: Your feet carry the entire weight of your world.

The Good News: Reducing weight decreases the mechanical load on your plantar fascia and midfoot joints. Plus, better blood sugar control is the #1 way to prevent diabetic neuropathy and keep your feet feeling "alive."

The Professional Caution: While a pill is more "palatable" than a needle, we have to be smart. Two things I'll be watching closely with my patients:
1. Muscle Preservation: We don't want to just lose weight; we want to lose fat. Losing muscle mass in the lower extremities can lead to balance issues and "foot slap."
2. The Rebound: Rebound weight gain can be harder on your tendons and ligaments than staying at a steady weight.

My Take: This pill is a powerful tool, but it’s not a "reset button." It works best when paired with a lifestyle that prioritizes strength training and metabolic consistency.

Are you curious about how these new medications might affect your mobility? Let’s chat in the comments!

12/19/2025

Foot Focus Friday

Progress You Can Measure - In just 6 months, a patient with type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia is showing meaningful improvement in A1c and cholesterol through diet changes, weight loss, and medication adherence.

Better glucose control helps slow diabetic neuropathy, protect circulation, and support overall foot health. LDL is improving but still above goal for PAD/ASCVD, a reminder this is a marathon, not a sprint.

Six months. Real progress. Keep going. Remember we are here to be advocate to regain your health.

American Diabetes Association American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) American College of Lifestyle Medicine American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)

12/15/2025

Last Walk of 2025 -

This is a special reminder for our 12th and FINAL Walk with a Doc (WWAD) of 2025! Join Dr. Jenneffer Pulapaka and the team TONIGHT as we close out a fantastic year of walking, learning, and community connection.

12/15/2025

Walk with a Doc today at Oakdale Cemetery.

Check-in at 4:45 PM, walking from 5:00–5:30 PM. Pace options include slow, moderate, and fast groups.

Led by Dr. Jenneffer Pulapaka with a special guest speaker, this walk focuses on simple movement, fresh air, and community. Free community wellness event, join us!

As we gather, we are just days away from the Winter Solstice—the darkest and shortest day of the year (December 21st). Historically, the solstice is a powerful turning point, symbolizing the rebirth of the sun and the slow return of light. It's a time for reflection on the past and looking forward to the promise of a new season.

Walk with a Doc Group Walk With A Doc American Diabetes Association American College of Lifestyle Medicine Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)