To sum up, they are a charity interested in survival.
They should try harder.Any charity worth its salt is actively trying to put itself out of business.
Thank you.@Sean01 sorry to hear you've been poorly and glad to hear you're back in training again!
I agree fully with what you say here, but I think there is something more fundamental behind the OP question,Let's be fair, no forum, pub, tennis club, or whatever is right for everyone. In an online community we all look for different things, albeit there is a similarly common purpose to both this and DUK's communities.
As you say, lots of people use multiple communities where they may find different sorts of support or where they are more or less active. People dip in and dip out. There's nothing wrong with that.
So the problem is: Health care professionals are not listening to those of us who have T2 diabetes and are winning.
I agree fully with what you say here, but I think there is something more fundamental behind the OP question,
I put forward 2 basic hypotheses
The first hypothesis is that there is a direct link between eating carbs and the amount of glucose that ends up in the blood, and the second hypothesis is that carbs are not essential to life, and we can get all the nutrients we need from other sources.
If you agree with both these hypotheses then you will find sources of info that support low carb dieting be that Atkins, Paleo, Vegan, LCHF etc, and decry anyone who argues for Eatwell or for insulin generating meds. Converely if you disagree with either hypothesis then you will seek support from the NHS and Eatwell Plate, Both sets of followers will think the other set to be loony loupers not to see the truth as they see it. This is a basic fault of humanity, We do this for Religion, Politics, football, and it is behind the conspiracy theoriess such as Flat Earth Society, Moon landings didn't happen, The Twin Towers were demolished by controlled explosions set by the Government. Etc.
For me my conversion from HCLF to LCHF was difficult, and I had to do a lot of researching to convince myself that there may be something in it. I read the success stories, and some science reports backing the new way of thinking, and gradually I dipped a toe or two in the murky water. Surprise surprise, I found that for me it worked but I am an (n=1) testbed. The hypotheses remain unproven but have a growing army of (n=1) supporters giving our evidence similar to those witnessing at a faith meeting. But it takes a lot more to shift general public opinion from their established way of thinking and into a new comfort zone that they can be relaxed about, We are winning battles here and there, but the war goes on.
This is why I like this site, and have difficulties on the other site.
Yes but the difference between the two sites is that this site provides support for many different low carb diets such as I listed in my post, and not just LCHF. The other site is firmly in bed with Eatwell and high carb diets. This site discusses medication reduction as a result of diet, the other site promotes bariatric surgery,Oldvatr - I'm not entering into any great debate over this. I do agree that for T2 diabetics what they eat and drink is the most powerful too in T2 management, along with pharmacological support, if required.
As I have said many times, it is my belief that T2 is a portfolio condition, with a single label. Some become T2 because their dietary choices are flawed, some because of other conditions, and the meds they have had to take them to overcome those challenges (including staying alive), and for some there is even an almost familial inevitability. Of course those aren't an exhaustive list of reasons people become T2 because there are several others, never mind multiple low-grade issues.
Whilst I eat a lower carb diet, and it has worked extremely well for me, the only place I refer to my diet as LC is here and I guess on DUK. More usually I will refer to my way of eating as Reduced Carbs with Balancing Fat, because that's what it is. I'm not a ninja LC'er, and I'm happy with my diet. It works for me.
Not all T2s need to turn their backs on all carbs to achieve excellent results. Some people find they have one or two foods which are effectively rocket fuel for the bloods, so giving those up is enough for them.
There's is also lifestyle and quality of life to consider. Some people are content to accept they will take meds, or maybe additional meds to those they already take for other medical conditions.
By and large, T2s are adults, and have the capacity to make decisions for themselves. Whilst I may not always agree with their choices, they are the ones who have to live with the consequences of them. It isn't my place to harass anyone to do it like I do.
To be honest, I think the strongest messages are around eating to our meter, not eat what I (or anyone else) eat.
In the bigger diabetes world, both sites have their value, and over the time I have been reading it, the DUK's attitude to diet has softened quite a bit, with more acceptance and even low-key support of a reduced carb way of eating.
DUK are currently funding the Lean and Taylor piece of research, and I will be interested to observe what, if any impact that has to the DUK approach when it is published.
One of the key problem with Diabetes UK, ADA and the rest of the mainstream diabetes association around the world is that little attention is given to the clinical significance of hyperinsulinemia. The failure to give due attention to the key driver of T2D is the reason why these organizations has little success in reversing the tide of T2D and grow increasingly irrelevant.
Compare the search on Diabetes UK
View attachment 23918
And diabetes.co.uk
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Omg...... This is my first post on this forum, as I was only seeing the typical T2 eating methods and management, but then read this today. Up until this moment I thought I was the only one of a few doing a LCHF living methodology. My doctor is the only one in our area that has studied this in depth, and researched those that put forward other methodologies, a lot of whom are subsidised by the very industry that provides our medication. How motivated is that industry to help remove T2? Not at all. That impacts their $$$$. When first diagnosed (May 2017) I had to work extensively with my doctor as both the diabetic coach and dietician were both focussed on the typical 'lots of small meals' throughout the day etc.
Since starting, my Metformin has been cut by 50% and I've lost 22 lbs, and still reducing.
Those at my office have asked about this lifestyle, as they have seen the benefits. Although I'm still wading through the 'bible' my doctor told me to read "The Obesity Code" by Jason Fung, which is a HUGE eye opener, although very dry reading, as a big food lover I find getting through the week a little tiresome food-wise, as an ex-pat Brit, I spent my life eating meat and 2 veg and miss the baked and roast potatoes and all the traditional British foods, but love the once a weekend 'cheat', making everything worthwhile.
Did I say I was excited to know how many others are also following this? hehe
That impacts their $$$$. When first diagnosed (May 2017) I had to work extensively with my doctor as both the diabetic coach and dietician were both focussed on the typical 'lots of small meals' throughout the day etc.
Since starting, my Metformin has been cut by 50% and I've lost 22 lbs, and still reducing.
And from what I see from the outside some MD are royal assholes, to put it mildly, don't giving interest to nothing but their bank accounts, especially uninterested to the well being of their patients. Google "Brega Massone" from what I mean.My doctory just puts on the computer "keep taking the drugs and diet and retest in 6 months" without seeing me or knowing I am not doing the NHS eat well plate, hence they can't learn from what has worked for me. Until GPs start to ask people what they have done to get good result, rathern then just talk to the people with bad results, GPs will not learn what works. But they don't have the time..............
One could eat some small piece of high carb food. Today I have eaten a little piece of chocolate salami and cream cake with no problem (6.2 after 2 hours) but was under 20g each piece. And every 4 or 5 months I go to eat pizza. And accept the mess. I know that I shouldn't do it but the other alternative is burnout...Not all T2s need to turn their backs on all carbs to achieve excellent results. Some people find they have one or two foods which are effectively rocket fuel for the bloods, so giving those up is enough for them.
The biggest problem I've found is the lack of informations on Diabetes, especially pre diabetes and T2. I find myself lucky because I am a bookworm, and when I was finally diagnosed the was natural to me to go to the library, write "diabetes" on the library computer and borrow the book I found on the subject.By and large, T2s are adults, and have the capacity to make decisions for themselves. Whilst I may not always agree with their choices, they are the ones who have to live with the consequences of them. It isn't my place to harass anyone to do it like I do.
To be honest, I think the strongest messages are around eating to our meter, not eat what I (or anyone else) eat.
I read and write in both forums and I find that in both of the forums thee rare good people that give great advices. So I don't understand the mutual bitterness that some people has.In the bigger diabetes world, both sites have their value, and over the time I have been reading it, the DUK's attitude to diet has softened quite a bit, with more acceptance and even low-key support of a reduced carb way of eating.