LowCarbDirect.net Issue 03

14 | LowcarbDirect Directory - Issue 3 - October 2016
Low Carb
Success stories
Claire Swainston Harrison -
Type 1 diabetic
I developed gestational diabetes with
my first pregnancy at the age of 37
in 2002. When my daughter was 10
months old I was diagnosed with Type
1 diabetes. I was given the usual poor
nutritional advice from all the associated
diabetic professionals - low fat, high
carb. My life journey continued on and off every diet
known to man, losing weight for a short period of time,
while then picking it all up again and always a bit more
and feeling like a failure with uncontrollable sugars.
After another diet failure about 6 years ago I decided
I'd had it, no more diets ever again - I would just accept
myself as I was and that would be that.
In January 2015 a friend handed me her Real Meal
Revolution (RMR) red book, which she had been given
as she wasn't interested in it and she knew I loved recipe
books. Nearing 50 and with chaotic blood sugars, high
blood pressure, aches and pains developing more and
more and weight ballooning, I decided to give one last
blast with this Banting way of eating. I wanted to get my
diabetes and health under control and this way of eating
seemed to make sense.
Wow! I felt like I had arrived and it all made sense. I
was eating delicious food and not feeling deprived (and I
LOVE my food), I was losing weight easily for the first time
in my life - after the initial 6 weeks of carb flu I felt marvelous
- energetic and awake with glowing skin which people
were commenting on. I had my intense sugar cravings
under control too. Banting stopped my yo-yoing sugar
readings and I could reduce my insulin requirements by
two thirds! For the first time as a diabetic I felt in control
and empowered. It was simple too!
Through trial and error I have realised after 18 months
that being a T1 means Banting at 100% effort every day
and Merle Westcott, my Banting Buddies coach, has
been my guiding force in 2016. It is the only way of eating
to keep sugars stable and low and keep my weight
down. My health markers are excellent and I continue to
improve my HBA1C. My one frustration currently is trying
to find an endocrinologist in Durban who realises the
sense of LCHF eating - I need to find the Durban equivalent
of Dr Richard K Bernstein, an American endocrinologist
who is himself T1 and a low carb proponent.
Reyhana Thumbran - Type 2 diabetic
(Banting Buddies coach based in Pretoria)
I was generally quite healthy. Apart from that common
afternoon slump and an insatiable thirst for water, I
thought I was doing okay. The fact that I was morbidly
obese was of slight concern. That was, however, easily
shrugged off, knowing that come “Monday” I would try
to eat healthier. But until then, I would indulge richly in
eating just about anything that was easy or convenient.
When “Monday” did come, it was easily dismissed until
the following week due to a tough day or not being prepared
with the correct healthy foods. “Just one more
week” would be the constant battle of conscience…until
my body almost lost the battle.
After a week of feeling very dizzy to the point of not
being able to walk, I went to bed and slept for almost
three days! When I woke from that state, I realized something
was very wrong. I was shocked to hear the doctor
tell me that my blood sugar had measured at 16.9 mmol.
He diagnosed me with type 2 diabetes and explained
all the many tests I would have to undergo. It was horrible.
When I read about the effects of the disease I was
determined to get rid of it! I frantically searched the internet
for “natural” cures, and every road I tried lead to
BANTING!
So, in spite of my concerns about this “high fat” diet,
I finally succumbed and decided to give it a try, feeling
like I had no options. With much determination, I adhered
strictly to the guidelines. In under two weeks, my
blood sugar dropped to 6.8 mmol. In fact, all my blood
readings were looking healthier. It was then that I fully
embraced the LCHF lifestyle.
Today, it’s been just over a year of being a happy banter
and 20kg lighter. My blood sugar averages around
3.8 mmol and the very same doctor who initially diagnosed
me, and who is not a banter, has been happy to
declare me free from the effects of diabetes! The Banting
Lifestyle has completely
revolutionized my health
and it is the only solution
for diabetics.
I am now passionate
about helping others regain
their health and am
a coach for the Banting
Buddies coaching network.
www.bantingbuddies.com