DESMOND course today

Hello, just got back off holiday and went on my DESMOND course today. It was pretty much as I expected but with one big difference

The amount of carbs recommended was 1/4 of my daily calorie intake, which is much less than I have previously heard recommended by HCP's. Apparently this is the new suggestion in the light of new research.

I asked for a specific number to aim for, but there isnt a number of grams recommended, or a figure for daily calorie consumption either. And they were heavily pushing the Low-fat/no saturated animal fat idea.

Nope, still very, very against testing. The nurse even got a bit worked up about it. It will make us neurotic and cost too much. The NHS must target those in need and not waste money..........studies have shown that people who test dont do anything constructive with the results.......etc.

I did have the guts to gently point out that maybe, if those testing had been given the education on how to use their results and lower their glucose levels, it would have had a more positive outcome. And that giving people tools without the means to use them constructively is not the fault of the meters (tools) but the HCP's for not giving the instructions...........but that fell on deaf ears.

And I didnt get an answer to my question about how I will know if the recommended dietary changes are working with an annual HbA1c test as my only source of information.

I did ask that one.

1/4 carbs
1/4 lean protein
1/2 vegetables and fruit

Good point Grazer.

I think they meant carbs=bread, potatoes,rice,pasta.

They did emphasise that sugars and starches were all carbs, but also seemed to be saying that there were 'good' carbs and 'bad' carbs.

The 'starchy carbs' - bread, potatoes, rice and pasta, were the 'good' ones.

I found it all rather convoluted with very little logic applied. But I didnt think it was my place to interfere too much.

Incidentally, there were 8 of us newly diagnosed there, and 4 of us had several close relatives who are type 2. I found that interesting. And most were not obese either.