dafne course

I did the dafne course back in 2008 and really enjoyed it..

Most people think that it's a case of learning carb counting, and then you must follow stuffing yours face with carbs..

Hmm, yes the main frame off the course is counting carbs, but also it teaches you how to translate data to adjust your dose, how exercise might effect which are all the things that even the extreme low carbers need to know...

My consultant has actually found that a lot of his patients that attend the course who have weight problems actually benefit from it, as counting how many carbs in your food, does give you a slightly different prospective of it and he's found that a lot of people decide to have fish and chips etc, then they start to count the carbs and go 'that one heck of a lot' so automatically cut there portions back, then lose weight!

Hi neededthat,

There wasn't a set menu on my DAFNE course, you had a pass for the main restaurant in the hospital, where you could purchase anything from fish and chips to a salad. Most of the people on the course ate potatoes, fish & chips, white bread sandwiches and even puddings in some cases. As I don't eat most of these, I didn't care as I wasn't there to judge anyone on what they ate, but to learn how to tighten my control with the help of DAFNE.

It was a pleasant experience overall, meeting other type 1's, realising that you are not alone. I learnt a great deal during the week, how to carb count correctly, insulin to carb ratio's, how insulin works, insulin and exercise-the do's and don't, sick day rules, advice on eating out in restaurants, all sorts of useful info!

It is important to go along with a open-mind, learn and pick out advice that is useful to yourself, I didn't agree with everything what was taught on the course, and did question some things, but I believe that my knowledge and understanding of diabetes has improved since completing the course. Good luck !

Nigel