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Combined Lifestyle Intervention (GLI)

  • GLI is a two-year coaching program for lifestyle change
  • Focused on nutrition, exercise, sleep, and relaxation
  • Reimbursed from basic health insurance (in the Netherlands)
  • For people with overweight, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes
  • Find a provider via the Lampie location finder

A healthy lifestyle forms the basis of recovery. For people with overweight, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes, a Combined Lifestyle Intervention (GLI) can help to sustainably improve their own health.

The GLI focuses on nutrition, exercise, sleep, and relaxation — not as a temporary diet or sports program, but as guidance toward lasting change.


The GLI is intended for adults with:

CriterionCondition
BMI > 30 kg/m²Without accompanying conditions
BMI > 27.5 kg/m²In combination with health problems

Health problems that qualify:

  • High blood pressure
  • Insulin resistance
  • Elevated blood sugar
  • Joint complaints

The GLI is a two-year coaching program, consisting of:

PhaseDescription
Intensive phaseFirst period with intensive guidance
Maintenance phaseContinuation with less frequent contact moments

The goal is:

  • Insight and awareness
  • Strengthening healthy habits
  • Behavior change
  • Metabolic recovery

ParticipantRole
You yourselfAre at the helm
Lifestyle coachGuides step by step with nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress
Internist or GPRemains involved for medical safety and medication adjustment

Your internist or general practitioner can make a referral to a GLI.

Via the JLAM location finder (Lampie):

Lampie location finder → jeleefstijlalsmedicijn.nl/lampie

  1. Choose the category GLI or lifestyle coach
  2. Enter your city
  3. Select a provider in your region

One of the national providers is Voeding Leeft, with the program Keer Diabetes2 Om (Reverse Type 2 Diabetes), an officially recognized GLI.

Voeding Leeft → voedingleeft.nl/keer-diabetes-om

AspectDetails
Target groupPrediabetes or type 2 diabetes
MedicationNo insulin yet, or only metformin, DPP4 inhibitors, or GLP-1 agonists
DurationTwo years: intensive guidance followed by maintenance
PillarsNutrition, exercise, relaxation, and sleep
Medical supervisionIn collaboration with the main treating physician

Within the philosophy of Je Leefstijl Als Medicijn, the GLI fits into a broader approach of metabolic reprogramming.

The emphasis is on:

  • Recovery of insulin sensitivity
  • Fat burning and muscle function
  • Therapeutic carbohydrate restriction (TKB) or ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT)
  • Attention to sleep and stress
  • Monitoring of metabolic parameters

No.Tip
1Make a concrete goal beforehand
2Discuss medication adjustment with your doctor
3Choose a GLI program that suits you
4Use tools such as step counter or glucose meter
5Ask at the intake about your coach’s background
6Stay in contact with your treatment team

Veelgestelde vragen

What is a GLI?

A Combined Lifestyle Intervention (GLI) is a two-year coaching program focused on nutrition, exercise, sleep, and relaxation. The goal is insight, awareness, and strengthening healthy habits for sustainable behavior change and metabolic recovery.

Who is a GLI intended for?

The GLI is intended for adults with a BMI above 30 kg/m², or a BMI above 27.5 kg/m² in combination with health problems such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance, elevated blood sugar, or joint complaints. Motivation to actively work on lifestyle is essential.

Is a GLI reimbursed?

Yes, the GLI is reimbursed from the basic health insurance package (in the Netherlands). Your internist or general practitioner can make a referral to a GLI provider.

How do I find a GLI provider?

Through the JLAM location finder (Lampie) at jeleefstijlalsmedicijn.nl/lampie. Choose the category GLI or lifestyle coach, enter your city, and select a provider in your region. A national provider is Voeding Leeft with the Reverse Type 2 Diabetes program.


Medische Disclaimer: De informatie van Stichting Je Leefstijl Als Medicijn over leefstijl, ziektes en stoornissen mag niet worden opgevat als medisch advies. In geen geval adviseren wij mensen om hun bestaande behandeling te veranderen. We raden mensen met chronische aandoeningen aan om zich over hun behandeling goed door bevoegde medische professionals te laten adviseren.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided by Stichting Je Leefstijl Als Medicijn regarding lifestyle, diseases, and disorders should not be construed as medical advice. Under no circumstances do we advise people to alter their existing treatment. We recommend that people with chronic conditions seek advice regarding their treatment from qualified medical professionals.