I am an advanced diabetic educator dedicated in finding solutions as to why diabetic patients fail to follow their diets and exercise regimens. I do recognize socioeconomic status, level of obtained education and depression as reasons that compliance has not been achieve, but measures are being taken to address each of these obstacles.
I am of the opinion that taking the time to assist the patient in building an individualized dietary plan creates "ownership" in the task of managing T2DM. Another component in building the dietary plan is to identify the patient's favorite foods and traditional family recipes, and discuss making minor changes to effect the glycemic load of the dish. The patient is made aware that this diet can be changed as required, and that they are not stuck with eating the same food over and over for the rest of their life. Discussions about appropriate portions of each food group, and acceptable snacks is also discussed. Before the appointment is concluded, the question as to why these dietary restrictions are so important is answered, and the patient is able to repeat this information. Written information including substitute options, easy recipes, and contact information accompany the full dietary plan created by the patient with the assistance of the diabetic educator or nutritionist. Follow-up in 6 weeks intervals.
In tracking 100 patients over the period of a year in the clinic, these dietary changes have produced a gain of dietary compliance of 12%. Weight loss ranging from (13 to 26 pounds), and HbA1c have been decreased in these patients by 9% with HbA1c goals reached in 88%.
I developed diabetes due to being put on steriods as well as the implant!
Do you think it is fair to judge me like this? (I do feel very judged to be always catagorised as if i did something wrong, that i ate myself into diabetes!)
I didnt vote as the reason is not on there!
I am a low carber... an extremely low carber, my body CAN NOT tolerate most foods that people like you tell me i can eat! If i followed the diet "you" (as in dieticians and nhs, gps, dns) gave me i would be progressing and need medicine!
The nhs tells us not to test... so how can we "own" (as you put it) our diabetes, our diet and our future if we dont know what effect it is having on us?
Now let me ask you no.1 did you get any of the symptoms of diabetes? The hunger, the thirst the fatigue? Could you "starve" yourself when your body is screaming at you for food?
Almond flour in holland & barrat is £10 for a very small bag! That to replace wholemeal as my bgl rise with that also...
I cant eat sweetpotato, carrots, bread, pasta, rice, potatos etc etc etc the list of "i cant have" is huge. Trying to find the "can haves" is hard.
Testing the bgl gives ownership, high bgl while on the diet given by nhs causes depression which then creates a lack of will power.
We are already fighting the screaming "feed me" call of our bodies! We are already fighting society and the markets and advertising EVERY WHERE you go is temptation... but to do it on our own without the support of the organisation who is meant to support us (nhs in giving wrong dietry advice)... that is why people fail!
I lost 20kg in 4months, 20cm from my waist, my hba1c went from 85 to 48 in 2 months and about to have another to see if the diabetes is "resolved" i know it isnt "resloved" it is just well controled without medicine.
I fell off the wagon a few times! Not because i didnt know the risks, not because the healthy food was too expensive (even though it is) not because i dont kniw which foods are best, or even mental health/depression... it was because i felt so hungry... nothing was able to fill that void... i gave in. But the bad bgl slapped me out of it and i was able to pick myself back up and start again...
Stopped blaming and being negative and try to be positive and show them the positives to the diet, show them how they can find out what they can eat and be there for them when they are struggling...