Diabetes Awareness

November, according to the American Diabetes Association, is American Diabetes Month®. (That's right, the name is registered. If you're not American or not diabetic, I guess you can't celebrate.) I am not a fan of the ADA because they disseminate too much misinformation—such as encouraging diabetics to eat according to the food pyramid instead of low-carbing. Diabetics can't process carbs, so it makes no sense to encourage them to eat lots of carbs.

The ADA doesn't even explain how a diabetic should properly draw blood. On the ADA website, a picture shows the pad of the finger used for a finger stick. This is painful. You should use the side of the pad, not the center. Why doesn't the ADA know that?

Here's some more misinformation from their web site:

"A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is generally the same as a healthy diet for anyone – low in fat (especially saturated and trans fat), moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on whole grain foods, vegetables and fruit."

 . . . and:

"Starchy foods are part of a healthy meal plan. What is important is the portion size. Whole grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice and starchy vegetables like potatoes, yams, peas and corn can be included in your meals and snacks. The key is portions. For most people with diabetes, having 3-4 servings of carbohydrate-containing foods per meal is about right. Whole grain starchy foods are also a good source of fiber, which helps keep your gut healthy."

I know from personal experience, as well as doing a lot of reading, that starchy foods and whole grains—carbs!—will cause my blood sugar levels to soar, will make me ache and bloat, and will cause other problems. Anyone who has read Wheat Belly by Wm. Davis, MD, knows that whole grains will not "keep your gut healthy" and will cause numerous health problems.

I used to eat low-fat, plenty of fruit, and lots of whole grains (and potatoes, corn, etc.). I also wasn't eating beef or pork. I got fat and felt lousy. But I was eating according to what was healthy—and what the ADA still recommends. Here's how I looked then in my 1997 retirement picture: 

I'm pretty sure I was diabetic when the above picture was taken, but I hadn't been diagnosed (and wouldn't be until nearly two years later). I had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia (a catch-all term for "yeah, there's something wrong with you, but we don't know what") after my two-year bout with chronic mono. I had extreme fatigue, autoimmune problems, numerous infections, etc. Notice I needed a cane to walk back then.

Here I am a few months ago, about 55 pounds lighter than I was in my retirement picture:

Keep in mind that the ADA receives substantial contributions from Big Food, and Big Pharma. Naturally the drug companies don't want you to get better on your own. If you didn't need their drugs, they'd lose money. Big money.

If you're diabetic, or think you might be, there are three books you need to read. The information contained in them is far superior than any info you'll find on the ADA website:

• Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solutions, by Richard Bernstein, MD
• Wheat Belly, by Wm. Davis, MD
• Why We Get Fat, by Gary Taubes

 I've mentioned these books in earlier blog posts. I've also mentioned in an earlier post about why I dropped out of a diabetes class (based on ADA info and the infamous food pyramid).  But, I recently received this in the mail:

Since the same nutritionist who conducted the diabetes class is conducting this, I won't be attending. I don't need any more misinformation.

If you're diabetic—or think you might be—it's up to you to find out what does and doesn't work for you. Those three books are a good place to start.

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