14/11/2024
Today is world diabetes day.
Why am I so passionate to learn so much about this dreadful illness? It’s partly due to my own journey but that’s only a small part of it.
Let me tell you a story…
My dad ❤️….
Dad loved a wee drink (or 2), he was the life & soul of the party, he loved the social craic and he was always game for a laugh. He was a kind soul too and such a great listener at times. We all loved him very much ❤️.
However, eventually dad developed type 2 diabetes.
He never really took it very serious and thought insulin was the answer to this horrible disease, he thought it was an easy fix. He continued to live life to the full, wouldn’t take the advice to slow down, thought he had control of it all. The scariest thing was, diabetes didn’t scare him at all.
As dad’s health started to deteriorate he continued to eat the food that was recommended ..porridge, Weetabix, brown bread, low fat yogurts, low low margarine, skimmed milk…all low fat and tasteless 😢.
Looking back now this all just pushed him further into ill health.
He had several strokes, suffered seizures, he developed gangrene on his toes (wasn’t able for surgery), he went blind and eventually ended up with kidney failure and had to get dialysis several times a week. His last few years were awful and just full of one sickness after another😞. His quality of life was non existent. He was convinced he was gonna get better. Unfortunately he didn’t, his body had had enough and he died at 66 years of age.
I wish I knew then what I know now, how different I’d do things! It may not have saved him but it may have given him more quality of life even if it hadn’t increased quantity 😣
Do not underestimate the power of dietary changes when it comes to type 2 diabetes (not the same as type 1).
Lowering carbs, increasing protein and including good fats are some of the things that will help to stop it in its tracks, even if these changes only help with the symptoms it’s worth a shot!
Stop it before it stops you!!