Blood sugar problems come in many shapes and sizes.  Sometimes blood sugar gets too high, other times it gets too low.  No matter which direction it goes–too high OR too low, if your body can’t regulate its blood sugar, and keep it within a certain healthy range, this causes massive health issues throughout the whole body.  What kinds of problems?…look all around, and you’ll see them.  If your cells don’t have a consistent fuel supply, a whole host of issues can crop up, including:  inflammation, adrenal problems, energy problems, difficulty making and regulating neurotransmitters, absorbing nutrients, fighting infections, and cellular damage.  This manifests as all of the chronic diseases we see clinically every day – chronic fatigue, insomnia, depression, premature aging, digestive problems, nutrient deficiencies, allergies, frequent colds and flues, chronic aches and pains, irritability, energy highs and lows, the need for afternoon naps, heart disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, obesity, diabetes, joint pain, high cholesterol…and the list goes on.

How big of a problem is diabetes?  According to the American Diabetes Association, about 23.6 million people have diabetes of some type.  Of those, 5.7 million people don’t even know they have it.  What’s even scarier, is that more than TWICE as many (57 MILLION people) are in early pre-diabetic stages.  Unless something is done to get their blood sugar back under control NOW, they will go on to develop diabetes as well.

We’ve heard it all.  We know all about the insulin, the fact that diabetes is lifelong, that it’s not reversible, the fact that you have to find sugar-free “diet” versions of all your favorite foods – right?…Wrong!!!

Have you searched on the internet for meal plan examples that are good for those with diabetes?  How does this sound?

Breakfast

• 1 slice of toasted whole wheat bread with 1 tsp margarine
• 1/4 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1/2 small banana

Lunch

• 1 cup vegetable soup with 4-6 crackers
• 1 turkey sandwich (2 slices of bread, 1 oz turkey, 1 oz low-fat cheese, 1 tsp of mayo)
• 1 small apple

Dinner

• 4 oz broiled chicken breast
• 2/3 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 small whole grain dinner roll with 1 tsp margarine
• Tossed salad with 2 tbsp low-fat salad dressing
• 4 unsweetened canned apricot halves or 1 small slice of angel food cake

And if you want to snack? Pick any two:

• 16 fat-free tortilla chips with salsa
• 1/2 cup artificially sweetened chocolate pudding
• 1 oz string cheese plus a small piece of fruit
• 3 cups of “lite” popcorn

The above came off of WebMD as a sample plan recommended for those with diabetes.  When people with diabetes search for recommendations on what to eat, they’re going to stumble across this plan.  Do you think this sounds healthy?  It’s NOT!  This is NOT the way to go. Someone following this diet will hardly ever actually improve or recover.

Why?

• Too many carbs – this many carbohydrates practically guarantees that not only will you never lose weight, you’ll only gain.
• Too many trans-fats – the trans-fats in the WebMD example only prevent you from getting your good essential fats, without giving you any benefits
• Not enough good fat – without enough fat telling your brain you’re full, you’ll only keep eating
• Not enough vegetables – vegetables contain minerals, some vitamins, fiber, water, and many other beneficial compounds good for fighting cancer and preventing premature aging. They also help regulate blood sugar.
• Not enough fiber – fiber not only slows the absorption of glucose, but it also keeps the digestive tract clean and healthy, which gives the liver a break – and you WANT your liver to be healthy – among many other things, it regulates blood sugar for you!
• Not enough protein – protein is needed for good metabolism and for tissue integrity, which is already at risk in someone with diabetes.
• Too many neurotoxins – especially in artificial sweeteners, flavors, soups, chips, and seasonings.  Neurotoxins, through various mechanisms, drive people to overeat.

Did you know that once they’ve learned how, many diabetic people make smart, supervised diet and lifestyle choices and end up not needing to take insulin?  Or, maybe they still need their insulin, but they can do very well on LESS.  Or maybe they can REVERSE Diabetes Type 2 altogether! Yes, this IS possible, and without insulin!

Our personalized programs are an excellent place to start.

Dr. Lara Sweeney addresses blood sugar issues from top to bottom.  She uses:

• Functional Endocrinology, a state-of-the-art discipline based on TODAY’S science, not that of 50 years ago
• A scientifically valid Nutrition Plan tailored to YOUR needs, goals, and physiology.  It’s effective and actually fun to follow, without leaving you feeling deprived.  You’d never guess you were on a “diet”!
• Potent natural compounds to enhance specific mechanisms of blood sugar metabolism. The protocols she uses are backed by the most up-to-date research available and tailored to the individual person
• A scientifically valid Physical Activity program tailored to activities YOU enjoy, that doesn’t overwork or underwhelm you.  The days of hours on a treadmill are OVER – see how EFFICIENT exercise can be!

With Dr. Sweeney, you’ll be able to:

• Balance your blood sugar, often without insulin!
• Never feel hungry or deprived again
• Identify which foods you CAN have that you thought you couldn’t – and which foods you SHOULD stay away from!  (You’d be surprised!)
• Eat SMART for your body and your brain – not too much, not too little
• Break free from the persistent politically-correct dietary myths and conventional wisdom that are only making our country sicker and more frustrated, not healthier

Together, we’ll find a real meal plan you can live with, where you can eat foods you like, discover new foods you didn’t know you liked, feel satisfied and happy, get more energy, and possibly get off insulin for good! Diabetes Type 2 doesn’t have to be lifelong; don’t just throw in the towel.