Ok, I want to talk about a friend of mine. She is 31 years old and has a slight learning disability. She lives in a group home where another friend of mine works. A few years ago she was diagnosed with Diabetes. What I find weird is that her blood sugar levels hardly ever go over 150. She does not take any medication or insulin. But at the group home, they put her on an outrageously strict schedule. In fact, they treat her like a 6 year old child and I know it is because of the disability! It hurts me to see her as an adult being treated this way.

She has a strict time as to when she can eat meals, how much she is allowed to eat and what she can eat at each meal. Her snacks are scheduled too. Today, someone had to choose the cookie she could eat for her 1:00 snack. I cannot imagine how controlled she must feel. I understand that she has to manage it in some way, but for it to be so strict and scheduled is causing her so much emotional pain.

I work at the day center where she goes Monday through Friday. I know that if I want to, I can take her on a private outing. I would love to break the rules for that moment and allow her to make more of her own decisions. I'd have to make sure she doesn't tell on me though lol.

So, what do you think about this strict schedule. First of all, her Diabetes is hardly existant. I strongly believe it's causing her more harm than good! I know she is very heavy. But the strange part is that her strict eating schedule would cause any normal person to lose weight. But she remains very heavy.

I'm not an expert on diabetes, but I think they're just 'covering' themselves when it comes to scheduling her diet. It's possible that she can't handle the responsibility of making the best choices for her own health, and labeling the restrictions as causing her 'emotional pain' may just be the opinions of others, and such feelings can only promote a negative effect regarding her attitude too.

If she is heavy, and is known to be diabetic, then I can't see how this is doing her more harm than good. If I were her friend, instead of dwelling on the negatives regarding the foods she can or can't eat, I'd support her in not only eating healthier 'voluntarily', but also join her in some exercise, even if just walking. The fact that she remains heavy shows that she needs assistance to move forward to achieve a healthier and happier life.

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"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~Immanual Kant~

How would you like to live under the control of others...constantly? I know it would drive me nuts! I know it drives her nuts too. I can't always accept everything people tell me to do because I have my own opinions too. When a doctor tells you to do something, you have a choice. This girl has no choice. I know she is somewhat capable of making her own decisions. She often tells me that she can't eat what I am eating because of her Diabetes and no one has to tell her. It's just that they aren't allowing her to develop the skills of making her own decisions. This is something she needs. What meaning is there to life if everyone makes decisions for you? You're like a robot.

I'm not saying she souldn't be encouraged...but her life should not be run by others. I know she is disabled, but she isn't to the point where she needs constant care.

She takes walks just about every day and she really does eat "healthy" because of the eating schedule. This is why I think there is something else wrong with her.

I wouldn't like to live under the control of others at all, but if I was placed in a home for whatever reasons, I guess I'd have to make the best of it. If I couldn't live independently on my own, then I'd have to give some consideration to the guidance of others in charge of me.

I feel bad for her, and maybe the developing of her skills in self-care and decision making should be provided by family or friends, not the home. They probably have generic guidelines for everyone there, and don't get involved personally. I agree this may be something she needs, but they obviously aren't going to provide it.

If she's eating healthy because of her planned schedule, then it's a good thing, in part anyway. She may have some other medical problems as to why she's not losing any weight, I don't know, tests would have to determine that.

I really wish the best for her, but realistically, I think any positive expectations for her have to come from caring individuals, not the institution itself.

You are right about that! Sometimes I feel like I am the only person who really truly cares about her. Her mother never visits or calls her. I know she has some behavior problems, but if you learn to talk to her the right way, she responds much better.

pinball and arrow,

She really isn't allowed to eat many carbs at all. It was only that one time that I saw them allow her to eat a cookie and I think it was only because they were having a party that day. Other than that, they really limit the carbs and sugar.

Keep caring Kelly, you can make a positive difference in her life. Both of you will reap the rewards.

Well that is good to hear and I think you should be supporting their efforts, If only all diabetics had such care the long term survival and the health of diabetics would improve.

The point is that Diabetics can't handle glucose and ALL foods that metabolise down to glucose should be avoided. It's in diabetics best long term interests. In practice EVERYONE should be doing the same. For most people sodas, and everything containing sugars and HFCS are problematical in the long run. In Sweden now 25% of the population are eating in a low carbohydrate way that reduces the risk of diabetes or the use of diabetic medicines.
We've got to the point that the current rise in Diabetes incidence isn't affordable and people will have to learn either how to avoid getting diabetes or how to live without the bucketloads of medications required if they are to carry on eating cookies and soda.

Image from Diet Doctor

The reason that she is not loosing weight on this "healthy diet" is because she is diabetic and they are still feeding her poison for a diabetic.

They really need to get rid of all the carbs from bead and potatos and pasta, all sugar. Diabetes is fully controlable with diet and some alternative supplements but few people are willing to do what has to be done... some say that mms can cure some cases of diabetes.

I dont know how disabled she is, obviously enough to have to live in a home. Disabled people do not have rights in our society, especially so for the mentally disabled more than other groups. I don't think you will be able to do much about it. encourage her to express her feelings to her imprisoners... and just be her friend.

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I am an expert on Diabetes, and I will tell you what is going to happen to your friend.

Like Arrow says, they are still feeding her simple sugars which will spike her blood sugar levels. Since she is overweight, her cells are becomming insulin resistant, and within a few months to a year, they will get her on Metformin or some other prescription drug. This will lower her readings, but only short term, then will begin to rise again.

At some point, she will be given insulin injections, which again will help lower readings, but will also cause weight gain. The extra weight will cause more insulin resistance, which will lead to higher blood sugar readings, and it becomes a vicious circle, that will continue until she dies.

The only real solution is to put her on a phase one diet, which eliminates all sugars and grains, and lots of exercise, such as walking. It is necessary to eliminate all grains because even whole grains are contaminated with all kinds of fungus.

They are probably feeding her sugary drinks, which are not good since fungi uses sugars for fuel. She should be drinking pure water, not tap water, and chlorophyll from organic fruits and veggies.

One final note... cookies are mostly sugar, which again is something your friend should be avoiding.

Once the medical system has a hold of someone, the outlook is grim..

I know I am waking up a really old thread here. But I just happened to be reading it and I can't help but have questions about this particular post.

If a diabetic would really cut all carbs and all sugar out of their diet, tell me why they would not become deficient in many nutrients. Also, since diabetics actually do not use the sugar that they consume, wouldn't this also cause them to be fatigued often? Diabetes cannot just be thought of as high blood sugar and problems associated with the levels of sugar in the blood. It also must be thought of as sugar not getting into the cells to be used as energy. Those are the two parts of the disease. Sure, you can control your blood sugar levels through not eating carbs and sugar. But look what you are depriving yourself of. Just thinking...

Carbs that come from vegetables and fruits provide many nutrients. Grain carbs are very low in nutrients. They actually have antinutrients called phytic acid that block absorption of important minerals like calcium, iron and zinc. A person will benefit from lycopene in tomatoes, vit. K and iron in leafy greens like spinach, allicin from onions and garlic, chlorophyll from green veggies.....lentils, broccoli, asparagus....these are nutrient dense food. Bread, crackers, and cereal are nutrient poor. Grains are not a good source of nutrition.

If a diabetic would really cut all carbs and all sugar out of their diet, tell me why they would not become deficient in many nutrients.


First, nutrients come from vegetables (and fruit) and not from sugar or simple carbs.

Secondly, being deficient in vitamins and minerals, specifically chromium and vanadium, is the cause of type 2 diabetes.

Yes, fatigue is a major symptom of diabetes, along with incredible thirst, excessive urination, as well as eye and foot problems.

Being deficient in vitamins/minerals causes the disease, since at some point the immune system can no longer protect the body from the resulting increase in organisms/parasites created by deficiency.

Sugar is stripped of all fibre and nutrients, thus, is dead food.

Carbs are either simple or complex. Simple carbs are cookies, sugary drinks, chips, white flour, white bread/pasta, corn syrup, most junk food, etc., and should be avoided, especially if diabetic.

Complex carbs, on the other hand, are rich in nutrients and should be consumed on a daily basis along with fibre, which will help prevent blood sugar spikes.

No offense, but I am the type of person who can't just take someone's word for it. I am just starting to study nutrition. Don't get me wrong, I did not make my previous post to try to act as if I know something. I'm thinking...asking questions and hearing different opinions. You bring up an interesting point and I want to dig deeper into researching it.

I usually think of white bread as being stripped of nutrients. But I've been told that whole grain bread is full of them. I am not saying you are wrong. I'm actually glad that you brought it up, so that I can look into it. Thanks!

Hi Kelly,

I'm glad you asked why grains aren't so nutrient dense as we're lead to believe. Take a look at this article. https://www.holistickid.com/phytic-ac...bane-of-grains.

We eat beans, nuts, seeds, quinoa, and brown rice but they are soaked overnight or sprouted to remove the phytic acid (anti-nutrients).