Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I was diagnosed some 10 years ago with Type 2 diabetes.

While I have no magic cure, I have found that adhering to the Paleo diet has gotten me some of the lowest A1C and blood glucose numbers that I have had in years. Limiting common carbs (especially bread) seems to have made the difference. Also, JJ Virgin’s diet has taught me a great deal about all of the “hidden” sugar in our day to day eating.

I wish you well!

Ted”

“Also, I am a type 2 diabetic. My best advice is EXERCISE + reduced carbs and SUGAR. This is experience talking.

Tom.

I was diagnosed with Type 2, 3 years ago. I was lucky, it was caught early. I was constantly thirsty and always having to go (I guess those two things go hand in hand huh), trouble was I would try to quench my thirst with Pepsi, which I drank 7 to 8 cans a day of the stuff.

When I finally relented to go to the doctor (after 20 plus years of not seeing one – thank God for nagging wifes). My A1C was over 400 (it’s suppose to be 200 or less). He said I was lucky I didn’t have a stroke, and he prescribed Metformin for me. It’s turned out, it’s a wonder drug. I took 4 tablets a day, lost weight, the blood count went down and at my last doctors visit my count was 176. I asked him if that meant I wasn’t diabetic anymore and he said no, I still was, but not as much at risk for all the bad things that can go wrong. I have even been known to sneak a Snickers bar once in a while.

Bottomline is it can be a nightmare but if you behave, eat sugar free food, control your portions, go for a walk or exercise, you can keep it under control. I lost 30 pounds – mainly due to the Metformin, and feel as good as I ever have. Good luck Al, hope things work out for you. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask

Good luck

I have type 2 diabetes, had it for a long time, at least 20 years. My advice is first, DO NOT PANIC! Your world is not coming to an end.

I still recall when the doctor told me I have diabetes. My main symptom was frequent urination, like every hour. The doctor told me to stop eating sugars and carbohydrates, all forms of sugar, no candy, no chocolate, etc. and see me in two weeks. At the time, I only knew one person who had diabetes – and he lost one leg just below the knee. I was terrified.

My wife is way overweight, and was diagnosed as pre-diabetic several years ago. After a few years, there is no change in her condition. This may be your case, forever pre-diabetic. My neighbor was diagnosed as borderline diabetic, so he cut back on soft drinks and stuff. Two years later, still the same. He takes no meds. He has modified his diet and at 65 he still leads a very physical lifestyle. Cuts down trees, splits firewood, bowls twice a week, etc

A year and a half ago, my grandson was diagnosed as type 1. He has learned to handle that quite well. I am proud of him for that.

Anyway, I am still diabetic, and feel as healthy as ever (well, at 75, still feeling good). I do not take insulin, but I do take a couple of pills every morning for diabetes. (I take other meds, but that is another, unrelated story.)

I have always been a believer in “anything in moderation”. One rule of thumb – if it is white, do not eat it. Reduce your intake of potatoes, white bread, rice, etc. Avoid (if possible) simple sugars and starches. They are easily digested, and will create quick sugar spikes. For bread, choose pumpernickel or sourdough. There is an enzyme in sourdough which converts the white flour from quick-digesting to slow-digesting.

Recently I learned a new trick. Start your meal with a protein (meat, nuts, etc.) so you start digesting non-glycemic foods first. Then the starch and sugar foods will be digested more slowly, thus reducing the sugar spike.

Maintain a decent physical routine. Exercise burns off sugars, and enhances your ability to handle sugars. If you are overweight, get that under control. Weight loss is difficult for diabetics.

One thing that doctors recommend is to eat 5 meals a day. That means your regular three meals (smaller portions) and 2 diabetic-friendly snacks. My favorite snack is a spoonful of peanut butter and a banana.

I hope this helps you.