MANAGE YOUR BLOOD SUGAR WITHOUT DIETING

The current approach to managing type 2 diabetes

Getting a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can be scary, isolating and completely life-changing. Often the only direction people get when they are diagnosed is to avoid carbs, exercise more and lose weight. So many of our clients feel confused about what type 2 diabetes is and how they got it. They feel guilty and shameful that they let their health get to this point. In an attempt to become more educated, my clients start doing their own research. They turn to Google, Facebook groups, blogs, friends and family in search of answers and solutions. Suddenly, they find themselves swimming in an ocean of information on type 2 diabetes and are overwhelmed about what will work and where to start. Most of our clients start with some combination of low-carb diets, the keto diet and intermittent fasting.

They are motivated to turn their type 2 diabetes and health around. They completely overhaul the way they are eating and label foods like pasta, bread and sweets as "off-limits". Food, eating and the number on the scale become all-consuming. In addition to all of this, many people have the added stress of remembering to take medications and to check and record their blood sugars. It's not long before it all becomes too much. Motivation begins to fade, food cravings become overpowering and busy lifestyles make maintaining such a restrictive diet practically impossible. This often leads to a period where our clients say screw it, and binge on all the foods they weren't "allowed" to have. When this happens, they end up feeling guilty and shameful for "falling off the bandwagon".

This pattern of restrictive eating followed by periods of binging leads to blood sugar and weight cycling. Because in this system weight is so tightly tied so closely to self-worth and health when weight cycles so does self-esteem. In the end, all of this leads to people who view food as the enemy, hate their bodies, are disappointed in themselves for not having enough discipline and ultimately still don't have their type 2 diabetes managed. Does this sound like you? Guess what, you're not alone and it's not your fault.