Simple Swaps to Help Prevent Diabetes
Diabetes is actually a pretty serious medical condition (type-1 needs insulin injections, although the more common type-2 can usually be managed with diet and lifestyle changes). It’s caused when blood sugar is too high, so cells don’t respond in the normal way to make insulin.
This can lead to fatigue and weight gain, but also eye problems and even amputation (which is why people diagnosed with diabetes should always wear shoes (and have regular podiatrist care, as some patients can’t feel if they have stubbed a toe etc, which could become infected).
Early symptoms of diabetes are thirst, frequent loo trips, slow-healing wounds, blurred vision, fatigue and dark skin patches around the neck and armpits. An easy way to check is to give blood (although you can still give blood, the pre-giving tests are for anaemia and diabetes, so you’ll soon find out).
Type-1 diabetes is usually genetic, but many now say that children are at reduced risk if breastfed (and not use dairy formula longer than necessary). That’s why all the ads now have to say ‘we recommend only using breast milk for the first six months’.
Tips to Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
It’s mostly simple lifestyle changes: eating a balanced high-fibre diet, taking regular exercise to maintain healthy weight, avoiding smoking and choosing water over sugary drinks.
Although we often associates type-2 diabetes with eating too much sugar, but Dr Neal Barnard says it can also be caused by low-fibre (white) foods like bread, and red meat (especially processed meat like bacon and sausages).
Far better is to eat lots of fibre (oats, barley, beans), and plenty of antioxidants like berries and leafy greens (check medication due to interaction with vitamin K).
Read more on food safety for people and pets.
Try porridge and berries, barley mushroom soup, mixed berry smoothies, lentil curry, chickpea salad wraps, mixed bean chilli and veggie stir-fry with tofu.
Dr Neal’s organisation has been working with medical doctors to reduce or come off diabetes medication (under supervision) for years, usually within 22 weeks. The National Diabetes Program cuts out all animal products, oily/fried foods and refined sugar, replacing with high-fibre plant foods (fruits, veggies, legumes, whole grains), healthy fats and water.
A Sustainable Vegan Supplement for Blood Sugar
Dr Vegan GlucoBalance is designed to support healthy blood sugar, and ideal for people who feel tired in the afternoons, or have food cravings, which leads to creeping weight, lack of focus and mood swings.
Check with GP before taking supplements if pregnant/nursing or on medication (especially blood sugar medication or blood thinners) or other supplements. Keep away from children and pets.
It contains a range of ingredients to help slow the breakdown of carbs (and cells that respond to insulin) plus has a trace mineral that helps insulin work better, to normalise blood glucose.
For best results, pair this with healthy eating, short walks (to help glucose move into muscles), regular sleep and plenty of plain water.
Take two capsules daily (with a main meal or within an hour of eating). Avoid taking on an empty stomach, as some people may feel mild stomach upset if they do. Store the capsules in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and moisture.
