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Poll: Which diabetes course(s) have you attended?

Which of the following structured diabetes education courses have you attended?

  • DAFNE

    Votes: 122 18.8%

  • DESMOND

    Votes: 122 18.8%

  • X-PERT

    Votes: 70 10.8%

  • ASPIRE

    Votes: 3 0.5%

  • Freedom4Life

    Votes: 2 0.3%

  • Other (Please state in a post)

    Votes: 67 10.3%

  • Never attended one

    Votes: 291 44.8%
  • Total voters
    650
I am currently attending a Reed/Momenta Diabetes Prevention Programme which lasts 9 months!

So far we have been told to walk more, which is fine, to eat five times a day, to avoid many fats and that one third of our diet should consist of starchy carbs. I am using the weekly weigh ins and step counts for my own motivation and not paying too much (any) heed to the dietary advice. It is hard to bite my tongue though. we have a session on carbs coming up and one of the healthy breakfasts listed in the booklet is a large scotch pancake with golden or maple syrup and half a banana. I won't be having that.
 
my dafne course was the best,over 5 days,09.00 'till 5 at night and they said I was a graduate,but the chocolate and sweets in the centre of the table looked good.
 
Administrator said:
This month we're taking a look at structured diabetes education courses in the UK and how well they work.

Have you taken one since you were diagnosed? If so, how helpful did you find it, if at all?

If you haven't taken any courses - is that because you've never been offered a place, or because you just felt like you didn't need it?

Would you recommend the course(s) to any of your friends if they were to get diagnosed with diabetes?
Click to expand...
 
I’m new to this.
I did Desmond last year with my wife and found it useful - especially as I met others with t2d although I was the only fbs sufferer present. The dietary advice was somewhat old school thinking but was still thought provoking.
I would recommend it as it is a safe environment and helps focus ones mind on seeking solutions and understanding.
 
I'm in Ireland. Currently doing the Xpert course with a community dietician. Despite the usual advice re carbs we are being encouraged to monitor our blood glucose to learmn how our bodies react to foods and they are not prescriptive about the routes people should take to health. The emphasis is on understanding what has gone wrong and what pushes up glucose. I waited 8 months but now have 6 two and a half hour sessions and a follow up in 6 months. I count myself lucky.
 
I have attended DAFNE, but they did not tell me anything I already knew. However my Grandma who came along with me learned a lot and that was useful to her as she sometimes looks after me while my parents are away.
 
I was pressed to attend a DESMOND course by my GP - less than a month after formal diagnosis. I felt that the information as presented was a little “simple” at times, and was still coming to terms with being diabetic, but nonetheless learnt quite a lot. The staff wanted me back for follow-up attendance the following May (2017), but haven't heard from them since.

However, their (NHS dietary) recommendations didn't help me, and was confused for some time until I read up on LCHF diets and step changes earlier this year.
 
cold ethyl said:
I went on the DESMOND about 9 weeks post diagnosis. Can't say it was helpful as full of outdated dietary advice and a bit simplistic, though i guess it is hard to pitch it at a suitable level as a wide range of ages and abilities, both physically and mentally, attended mine.
Click to expand...

Me too. Agree that the course is obliged to be understood by a diverse audience. We were given carb-rich sandwiches (very nice) for lunch!
 
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