u/Scared-Dig-3314

Hi everyone,

I’m a 41-year-old guy recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My latest bloodwork from late April shows:
• Fasting Glucose: 11.4 mmol/L
• HbA1c: 11.0%

I’ve never been vegan before but I just switched to a fully plant-based/vegan lifestyle a few days ago. I want to eat clean (whole foods, no junk) and see if I can reverse or put my diabetes into remission naturally.

I’m hoping this is possible. I’ve seen some stories online of people improving or reversing type 2 with vegan diets, but I’d love to hear real experiences from this community.
Current issues I’m having: Even in just these first few days, I’m experiencing weird blood sugar spikes and uncomfortable symptoms like stabbing pains / needle-like pinching sensations in my head, feet, and other areas. It’s making me nervous.

Questions:

1. Is it realistic to reverse or significantly improve type 2 diabetes by going clean vegan, especially starting from these numbers at age 41?

2. What does a good “clean vegan” day look like for blood sugar control? Any meal ideas, food timing, or tips to avoid spikes?

3. What might I be doing wrong that’s causing these spikes and strange pains so early on? Any common transition mistakes?

4. Tips for the first few weeks (supplements like B12, hydration, monitoring, exercise, etc.)?

5. Any success stories with similar starting A1C levels?

I’m working with my doctor and want to do this safely. Any advice, resources, or personal experiences would mean a lot. Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I’m a 41-year-old male recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My latest labs (April 28, 2026) show:

• Fasting Glucose: 11.4 mmol/L (very high)
• HbA1c: 11.0% (very high)
• Other notes: Borderline low B12, mildly elevated TSH and cholesterol/LDL, good kidney function.

My goal is to reverse or put my diabetes into remission naturally if possible. I’ve read Dr. John McDougall’s work, The Starch Solution, and watched many success stories of people reversing type 2 diabetes on a low-fat, starch-based whole food plant-based (WFPB) diet. I’m hoping this community can help guide me.

What I’ve started doing: I switched to WFPB a few days ago — focusing on potatoes, rice, oats, beans, corn, fruits, and vegetables with no animal products and no added oils. Eating until comfortably full.

Problems I’m experiencing: Even after just a few days, I’m getting weird sugar spikes and unpleasant symptoms: stabbing pains, needle-like pinching sensations across my head, feet, and other areas. It’s worrying and uncomfortable.

Questions for you:

1. Is full reversal realistic with my numbers at age 41?

2. What does a typical day of successful McDougall-style eating look like for someone with high blood sugar? Any specific meal ideas, timing, or combinations to avoid spikes?

3. What am I likely doing wrong that’s causing these spikes and weird nerve-like pains? (Too many fruits? Not enough starch? Hidden fats? Not enough volume? Transition issues?)

4. Any tips for the first few weeks — hydration, supplements (especially B12), monitoring, exercise, etc.?

5. Recommendations for McDougall-experienced coaches or doctors in Canada (Ontario) or good virtual ones?
   I’m working with my doctor but want to do this as safely and effectively as possible. Any advice, personal success stories with similar A1C numbers, or resources would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!