Type 2 Diabetes

[melv16]

I've read somewhere that you can cure this by diet alone. I read on here that someone had succeeded in doing this,( I think it was baldric).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[hc4361]

I reversed my Type 2 diabetes by losing 7 stone. I ate more than 800 calories and didn't exercise. I certainly didn't follow a keto diet. At one point I was taking three different drugs to control the diabetes now I take none, but still have an annual check up.

It was the tv documentary a while back that shocked me in to doing something about the diabetes.

I still eat as a diabetic should mainly because I'm frightened of putting the weight back on,

[pastafreak]

This article helps to explain diabetes, blood sugar, and the effects of eating carbohydrates on your blood sugar.

https://www.dietdoctor.com/diabetes

Basically, the sugar in your blood comes from the food you eat. If you reduce/eliminate foods that become sugar, you'll reduce the sugar in your blood. You may not cure diabetes, but the symptoms and need for medication will be stopped...as long as you don't load up on carbs.

[hc4361]

I eat carbs at two meals a day - and did that all the time I was losing weight. I have porridge every morning and a smallish portion of either potato, rice or pasta every evening.
On the rare occasions I have a sandwich for lunch I don't have carb for dinner.

[Sqad]

hc4361

That is the way to go about managing Type 2 diabetes, too many people get obsessed with diets and calories.
Well done for a sensible approach.

[Scarlett]

Sqad- I got my sugar level right down by doing a keto diet but I certainly ate more than 850 cals a day. I have a friend who is borderline diabetic and she was told to do lighterlife by her GP. She did it, regained all the weight and did it again, repeat repeat... 850 cals doesn't work. But cutting out sugar and carbs does. Melv, try not having breakfast- just have coffee and cream. This will fill you up without spiking your blood sugar. Have protein and salad for lunch, or home made veg soup, and for dinner have meat/fish and loads of veg. Don't count the calories, just change what you are eating.

[pastafreak]

I dont believe the 800 calorie diet was ever meant to be done without medical supervision, nor was it meant to be a long term solution. But so many recent studies have shown that greatly reducing carbs has the best potential for both reversing diabetes, but also preventing it.

[hc4361]

Although I do watch my carbs and limit the amount I have (I only worry about the carbs in bread, pasta, rice, pastry, cake, crisps, biscuits etc and ignore the carbs in fruit and veg) I struggle to believe it is a major factor in the rise in type 2 diabetes.
My parents and grandparents diets were VERY high in carbs as was mine when I was growing up - cereal and lots of toast for breakfast, at least 2 sandwiches at lunch time (4 slices of bread) and of course lots of potatoes at the main meal. Pudding every day, usually a fruit pie or sponge pudding or similar and often a carb heavy snack for supper. Suet dumplings in the stew.
Another piece of bread and jam if peckish between meals. That was typical diet when I was at school. I forgot about the crisps and biscuits. I don't know if I was a very greedy child but I'd often share a bag of chips with friends on the way home from swimming or scouts as well.

My brother developed Type I diabetes in his mid 20s (nothing to do with his diet) and I am the only one in my family with Type II.

Why have carbs suddenly become the enemy? Is it because we don't get nearly as much exercise as we used to? A more sedentary lifestyle for adults and children?

[melv16]

Thank you again for all your helpful replies.
At the moment I'm waiting for a dietitian to get back to me. I was hospitalised recently for diviculitus, that's where it was discovered that I also suffered from type 2 diabetes.
I need a high fibre diet to prevent the diviculitus returning, but this diet also needs to compliment the one for diabetes. Hopefully, the dietitian will get back to me.

[hc4361]

melv, as I said I reversed my type 2 diabetes and still ate high fibre foods - porridge every morning and lots of fruit and veg. No bananas or grapes for me, though, as these did spike my sugar levels. Nuts as a snack. Dried fruit is high in fibre but this also spiked my sugar levels but it might suit you - we are all different.

I will be interested to hear what your dietician advises, if you've got the time to share.

[melv16]

I've managed to speak to a dietitian but they'll only give advice if I've been referred by a GP. Done some research on the internet and they have conflicting ideas over the diviculitus. Some say low fibre, others high fibre. I'm going to stick with what I'm doing (high fibre)as it seems to be working. As for the diabetes I'm cutting down on carbs and sweet stuff and I'll wait until I see the practice nurse in a couple of weeks.

[Sqad]

Thanks for the feedback melv and you have made a wise decision.

[hc4361]

Thanks, melv