Debandez
Well-Known Member
The 8th December was my 8th diaversary. 8 years since my type 2 diabetes diagnosis. I remember that day so well. Floods of tears. Heartbroken. I could only focus on what diabetes had done to my beloved mum. Stroke, kidney issues, registered blind, ulsers on her legs that wouldn't heal. And so many more health issues related to her diabetes. Early death.
Was this what was in store for me
Thankfully (hopefully) not.
I actually think of my diagnosis as a blessing in disguise.
in my opinion (and many others) the NHS diabetes guidelines do not work to improve our health. Encouraging food that turns to so much sugar when at the end of the day that is what we are allergic to!!! Shocking advise.
My mum followed these guidelines. She ended up on more and more medication, including insulin injections (she was type 2). Nothing was improving. Her health continued to deteriorate. I watched this unfold not knowing how to help - if only I had known then what I do now
On the day i was diagnosed I was prescribed metformin and statins, and blood pressure meds were threatened - i declined all. I asked for a couple of months leeway to see what I could do with diet. I had read headlines in the papers and magazines like 'i reversed my diabetes'. This gave me hope.
I googled 'reversing diabetes' as soon as I got home. It took me to this amazing site. I listened to the forum members who had put their condition into reverse (and cured a raft of other health issues too). How did they do it? What did they recommend?
They said 'avoid the guidelines as they will make you worse'. Eating lots of carbohydrates and low fat doesn't go hand in hand with improving diabetes they said.
So what DID they recommend
Fewer carbohydrates as carbs turn to sugar. Adjusting portion sizes or even eliminating some foods, potatoes, pasta, rice, cereals, bread, even some fruits which turn to lots of sugar, not just cakes, biscuits and fizzy drinks as I thought at that time.
So choosing healthier carbs was a great starting point.
Although my diabetic nurse did not give me a blood glucose monitor saying it wasn't necessary and can get obsessive, forum members actively encouraged testing. My monitor was the best investment I ever made to be honest. A blood glucose monitor helps you discover the food/drink to avoid. Avoid the things that spike your levels or keep your blood sugars elevated for a long time was the forum members' advice.
I highly recommend a continuous blood glucose monitor like a libre sensor which you can get free on a trial:
Home | FreeStyle Libre | Abbott https://share.google/xjhTLiIHJZA5YC8cW
Wearing them has certainly given me more flexibility food and drink wise.
Healthy fats were encouraged. At that point I thought all fats were bad for me! Not so.
3 macros. Carbs, protein and fats. Fats hardly impact on blood sugars so no spikes (it's the constant spikes and elevated blood sugars that cause the nasty diabetic health issues).
I was encouraged to avoid ultra processed food as comes loaded with sugar and undesirable ingredients. (I cook from scratch or at least try to choose food with 5 ingredients or less).
I discovered that even butchers add sugar to many of their prepared meals. Many butchers don't display ingredients, I always have to ask whether sugar has been added and incredibly the answer is usually yes! I have since found a local butchers that confirms ALL ingredients so I can make an informed decision. I have a very busy life and sometimes it's just easier to buy pre prepared.
I try to avoid seed oils as much as possible which are ultra processed and nasty.
I read labels and take the traffic light system with a pinch of salt. For example food high in healthy fat comes with a red traffic light.
Hba1c 62 on diagnosis (anything over 47 is diabetic), 2 months later 47 (prediabetic = 42 to 47) and 2 stone down. @ 3 months later hba1c 39 (anything under 42 is normal) and 4 stone down. No alcohol for 5 months. Designated driver for my husband on nights out. His Christmas came early!
I've been in official remission ever since. My latest hba1c results just this week confirmed my hba1c as 37. Im one very happy bunny.
My diabetic nurse was impressed (to say the least). She told me 'nobody has ever done this before'. She was my mum's diabetic nurse for many years. This made me so sad/mad as i knew it was because they were giving out incredibly poor advice.
I'm 8 years since diagnosis and 7 and a half years in remission from this awful disease - no meds whatsoever to date - maintaining a weight loss of 45 lbs.
I still enjoy cakes, bread, croissants, not cross buns, fruit loaf and biscuits etc but I buy low carb versions online or from a local Keto shop (I'm very lucky to have one on my doorstep).
This feels very much like a success story to me hence me posting here and I am absolutely delighted with myself. My greatest achievement apart from my 2 gorgeous children (adults!) and 2 amazing grandchildren.
Your health is your wealth 100%.
I CAN NEVER THANK THE FORUM MEMBERS ENOUGH FOR YOUR HELP, SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE OVER THE YEARS. WITHOUT THIS SITE AND OTHERS LIKE IT THINGS WOULD BE VERY DIFFERENT.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to one and all.
Was this what was in store for me
Thankfully (hopefully) not.
I actually think of my diagnosis as a blessing in disguise.
in my opinion (and many others) the NHS diabetes guidelines do not work to improve our health. Encouraging food that turns to so much sugar when at the end of the day that is what we are allergic to!!! Shocking advise.
My mum followed these guidelines. She ended up on more and more medication, including insulin injections (she was type 2). Nothing was improving. Her health continued to deteriorate. I watched this unfold not knowing how to help - if only I had known then what I do now
On the day i was diagnosed I was prescribed metformin and statins, and blood pressure meds were threatened - i declined all. I asked for a couple of months leeway to see what I could do with diet. I had read headlines in the papers and magazines like 'i reversed my diabetes'. This gave me hope.
I googled 'reversing diabetes' as soon as I got home. It took me to this amazing site. I listened to the forum members who had put their condition into reverse (and cured a raft of other health issues too). How did they do it? What did they recommend?
They said 'avoid the guidelines as they will make you worse'. Eating lots of carbohydrates and low fat doesn't go hand in hand with improving diabetes they said.
So what DID they recommend
Fewer carbohydrates as carbs turn to sugar. Adjusting portion sizes or even eliminating some foods, potatoes, pasta, rice, cereals, bread, even some fruits which turn to lots of sugar, not just cakes, biscuits and fizzy drinks as I thought at that time.
So choosing healthier carbs was a great starting point.
Although my diabetic nurse did not give me a blood glucose monitor saying it wasn't necessary and can get obsessive, forum members actively encouraged testing. My monitor was the best investment I ever made to be honest. A blood glucose monitor helps you discover the food/drink to avoid. Avoid the things that spike your levels or keep your blood sugars elevated for a long time was the forum members' advice.
I highly recommend a continuous blood glucose monitor like a libre sensor which you can get free on a trial:
Home | FreeStyle Libre | Abbott https://share.google/xjhTLiIHJZA5YC8cW
Wearing them has certainly given me more flexibility food and drink wise.
Healthy fats were encouraged. At that point I thought all fats were bad for me! Not so.
3 macros. Carbs, protein and fats. Fats hardly impact on blood sugars so no spikes (it's the constant spikes and elevated blood sugars that cause the nasty diabetic health issues).
I was encouraged to avoid ultra processed food as comes loaded with sugar and undesirable ingredients. (I cook from scratch or at least try to choose food with 5 ingredients or less).
I discovered that even butchers add sugar to many of their prepared meals. Many butchers don't display ingredients, I always have to ask whether sugar has been added and incredibly the answer is usually yes! I have since found a local butchers that confirms ALL ingredients so I can make an informed decision. I have a very busy life and sometimes it's just easier to buy pre prepared.
I try to avoid seed oils as much as possible which are ultra processed and nasty.
I read labels and take the traffic light system with a pinch of salt. For example food high in healthy fat comes with a red traffic light.
Hba1c 62 on diagnosis (anything over 47 is diabetic), 2 months later 47 (prediabetic = 42 to 47) and 2 stone down. @ 3 months later hba1c 39 (anything under 42 is normal) and 4 stone down. No alcohol for 5 months. Designated driver for my husband on nights out. His Christmas came early!
I've been in official remission ever since. My latest hba1c results just this week confirmed my hba1c as 37. Im one very happy bunny.
My diabetic nurse was impressed (to say the least). She told me 'nobody has ever done this before'. She was my mum's diabetic nurse for many years. This made me so sad/mad as i knew it was because they were giving out incredibly poor advice.
I'm 8 years since diagnosis and 7 and a half years in remission from this awful disease - no meds whatsoever to date - maintaining a weight loss of 45 lbs.
I still enjoy cakes, bread, croissants, not cross buns, fruit loaf and biscuits etc but I buy low carb versions online or from a local Keto shop (I'm very lucky to have one on my doorstep).
This feels very much like a success story to me hence me posting here and I am absolutely delighted with myself. My greatest achievement apart from my 2 gorgeous children (adults!) and 2 amazing grandchildren.
Your health is your wealth 100%.
I CAN NEVER THANK THE FORUM MEMBERS ENOUGH FOR YOUR HELP, SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE OVER THE YEARS. WITHOUT THIS SITE AND OTHERS LIKE IT THINGS WOULD BE VERY DIFFERENT.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to one and all.
