Living with Diabetes, I've Read a LOT of Books in my Quest for Knowledge
The problem is, they seldom agree with each other!
One doctor says "constant carbohydrate, 40 grams with each meal" while the other says, "low carbohydrate, no more than 30 grams each day or 10 grams each meal" and yet another says, "leafy green vegetables and wild salmon" and then there's the "plant based foods only, and no extra oils."
What's a diabetic to do?
Well, I have been trying the various methods of controlling my blood sugars, and this lens is about the books I've read and how they affected me. Your mileage may vary, of course.
My Story
Looking back, I'm sure I had diabetes for many years before anybody diagnosed me. I find it odd, looking back, that even with a first baby of over 9 lbs, a history of diabetes in my family, and being placed on disability during my second pregnancy because of "swollen corneas" nobody ever said "Gestational Diabetes" to me. It seems so obvious now - both babies were over 9 lbs - but perhaps diabetes wasn't as well known then as now. After all, it WAS over 25 years ago.Or perhaps my job as an outside machinist at a Naval Shipyard kept it at bay because of my constant exercise on the job. I know that when the shipyard was closed and I retrained in accounting, my new sedentary lifestyle added about 30 lbs, but worse, my ratio of muscle to fat changed dramatically.
So I was close to 40 before my doctor sent me to an endocrinologist for diabetes, amazingly enough without telling me that's why I needed to see one. I thought I was going for a consultation regarding another medical condition entirely. That meeting did not go well - still without a word about diabetes, she said, "When are you going to do something about your weight?" I still remember how shocked and angry I felt - as though she had just accused me of feeding my face with Ho-Ho's and Ding-Dongs while washing them down with Chocolate Malts. (I was always dieting - and never able to get my weight down to where "they" said it ought to be.)
Photo Credit: Flickr: ยป edouard's Photostream
Reversing Diabetes by Dr. Julian Whittaker
This is a newer revision than my book - more stuff & better cover.
Reversing Diabetes: Reduce or Even Eliminate Your Dependence on Insulin or Oral Drugs
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/04/2009)
Dr. Julian Whitttaker's plan involves complex carbohydrates and a vegetarian lifestyle. This was one of the first books on diabetes that I read after being diagnosed. At that time, I wasn't ready to change my diet all that much, but the information I gathered from reading this book has been the foundation for the rest of what I've learned. This is a good resource for a diabetic.
My Struggle Began
Big Goal - Lose Weight
Still, I managed to only need small amounts of Glucophage to stay at an A1c of 7 or lower, so my doctor was happy. I was not, however, so I continued to read.
Low Carb was a mixed blessing for me
I did not lose weight - I did lower my glucose readings
For 3 months I followed the Protein Power Plan religiously. The good news was I lowered my blood glucose readings back to an almost normal level - the bad news was I only lost 3 lbs in 3 months. That convinced me that I have the metabolism of a LAZY slug on Prozac.
Still, the effect of lowering my blood glucose readings even a little bit was worth it, so I was again able to stay on just Glucophage.
Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution
Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars
Amazon Price: $18.89 (as of 12/04/2009)
Dr. Bernstein was an engineer before he became a medical doctor. He went to medical school for the express purpose of being able to help people learn how to control their type 1 diabetes. His main focus is on avoiding the blood sugar swings that are so common among type 1 diabetics. Much of what he teaches can be applied to type 2 diabetes, as well.
Dr. Bernstein's program is very low carbohydrate and involves a great deal of testing to determine one's own reactions to various foods - this is not a "one size fits all" plan by any means.
Protein Power
After my unsuccessful attempts to follow the Atkins diet, I turned to this
Protein Power: The High-Protein/Low-Carbohydrate Way to Lose Weight, Feel Fit, and Boost Your Health--in Just Weeks!
Amazon Price: $10.88 (as of 12/04/2009)
I did not lose weight with this plan, but I did reduce my blood sugars to under 200 and kept them there. I followed this plan strictly for an entire 3 months. It was a good start for me, as it began to teach me to lose my taste for some very unhealthy foods.
Stress Kicks My Butt
Big Time
My mom died.
My mother-in-law died.
I had to change jobs because I thought my husband was about to die.
3 moves in 2 years.
Yeah, I think there's a stress connection to a higher A1c. In my case, I do think it's the unconscious eating - particularly for me, wanting to chew and wanting something salty-crunchy. I'm lucky, I guess, that over the years I've pretty much lost my desire for sweets except during times of intense anxiety. That's when I want chocolate and peanut butter - preferably together.
My most recent read: Death to Diabetes
Death to Diabetes: The Six Stages of Type 2 Diabetes Control & Reversal (Version 1.0)
Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 12/04/2009)
The author has one of the most compelling personal stories I've ever read about diabetes. He went into a diabetic coma and wasn't expected to live - yet he now controls his diabetes with only diet and exercise and maintains an A1c of under 5, which is amazing for anybody, let alone a diabetic. Not surprisingly, he advocates a very healthy eating plan, but his personal story is the reason to read this book.
I found DeWayne by Accident
His story is compelling!
Death to Diabetes is also available in Paperback
Death to Diabetes -- Reverse Your Type 2 Diabetes in 10 Steps!
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 12/04/2009)
This is what's next on my agenda
I am going to read this book
My friend at work turned me on to this one
She is having SPECTACULAR results!
Dr. Neal Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes Without Drugs
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2009)
My friend discovered this book and she has had the most amazing results you can imagine from switching to the eating plan recommended by Dr. Barnard. In her first 2 weeks of eating like this she lost 11 lbs and her energy easily tripled. Her skin looks brighter, she's more energetic, and says she feels terrific. That's good enough for me, I'm getting this book and reading it!
Share your story - have you read any of these books?
Did they help you?
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Reply
- rj13 rj13 Jul 21, 2009 @ 3:38 pm
- My wife and I are diabetic, and have at least 12 diabetes books including some of the ones mentioned here. Both of us struggled with controlling our blood sugar, until we came across this one book -- DEATH TO DIABETES -- written by an engineer who almost DIED of a diabetes coma -- great story of recovery, plus his program is 'deep' on so many levels!
I lost 37 pounds, I feel great, and my blood sugar is now back to normal, so is my wife's, and our doctors agreed to take us off all our diabetic medication!
p.s. I've read Death to Diabetes at least 4 times, but every time I go back and look something up, I learn something new -- because each time I go back, my experience with diabetes has grown -- so now I understand CHAPTER 3 about the science of diabetes!
Get this book -- you'll be inspired by the story, but you'll be happier because you're healthy again!
p.s. The author has a website that's the same name as the book www.deathtodiabetes.com, and he's on YouTube.
-
Reply
- Richard Richard Jul 21, 2009 @ 3:35 pm
- Hello,
My wife and I are diabetic, and have at least 12 diabetes books including some of the ones mentioned here. Both of us struggled with controlling our blood sugar, until we came across this one book -- DEATH TO DIABETES -- written by an engineer who almost DIED of a diabetes coma -- great story of recovery, plus his program is 'deep' on so many levels!
I lost 37 pounds, I feel great, and my blood sugar is now back to normal, so is my wife's, and our doctors agreed to take us off all our diabetic medication!
p.s. I've read Death to Diabetes at least 4 times, but every time I go back and look something up, I learn something new -- because each time I go back, my experience with diabetes has grown -- so now I understand CHAPTER 3 about the science of diabetes!
Get this book -- you'll be inspired by the story, but you'll be happier because you're healthy again!
p.s. The author has a website that's the same name as the book www.deathtodiabetes.com, and he's on YouTube.
-
Reply
- ChineseKitesforKids ChineseKitesforKids May 24, 2009 @ 7:46 pm
- I think it's incredible how you immediately took charge of your life! Some people would have just been too discouraged. Not that long ago they told me my daughter could be diabetic and the test took 72 hours to get the results back. I don't think I've ever cried harder than I did in that 72 hours. I was in constant prayer. My heart goes out to you. Great lens, very touching 5 STARS!
If you have a chance come check me out I entered the Fresh Squid Contest for May with my lens Daycare School Online. As a fellow Fresh Squid winner I knew you could understand. Thanks!
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