In my first post, Diabetes 101, I briefly explain how the American Diabetes Association recommends 45 grams of carbohydrates per meal. Or, at least, that is what I remember being told by my doctor at the time. If you’re eating three standard meals a day that means you are taking in 135 grams of carbohydrates a day. At first glance, 135 does not seem like a lot. Now the ADA is suggesting 45-60 percent of your daily calories come from carbs.
Neither recommendation will work for me at this time. About a year ago I began searching the internet and Facebook for answers to my blood glucose dilemma, and I happened upon a group in FB called, “Type 2 Diabetes Support Group”. This group was exactly what I needed at that time. They support a diet that says you need to take in no more that 30 grams of carbs a day. They called it the Low Carb-Hi Fat Way of Eating (not a diet), and the reasoning is clear: if sugar and carbs are spiking your blood sugar, stop eating them!
I devoured the information on their groups page, and began buying food and cooking in accordance to their compliant food list. I was committed and determined to see if this strange way of eating would help to lower my levels. After 3 months I had lost significant weight (about 20 lbs.) and my A1C went from 12% to 7%. I couldn’t believe the results! I started preaching to anyone who would ask, “have you lost weight?” “Why yes I have, would you like to know how?” I’m sure I was aggravating to my family and co-workers, but I was extremely excited by the results!
My mother, who is also Type 2, started the LCHF way of eating as well, and has had success. She will not go back to her high carb diet anytime soon. My sister in law was diagnosed recently as Type 2 and immediately started on the LCHF bandwagon and is in control of her blood sugar WITHOUT MEDS!!
Long story short, if you have diabetes, a low carb, high fat diet (or way of eating) is the way to go. No, it is not easy! I am addicted to sugar and carbs, and eating this way is a daily challenge, but it is the best way to ensure that I control this disease instead of the other way around.
If you would like to educate yourself on LCHF, please buy a copy of Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution. This really started it all, and Dr. Bernstein is a true pioneer in this field. Also, do yourself a favor and check out Dr. Sarah Hallberg’s Ted Talk on Reversing Type 2 diabetes, it’s awesome. Lastly, Dr. Jason Fung has two books out on the subject of Type 2 Diabetes and obesity, The Diabetes Code and The Obesity Code, respectively.