Hello All:
First off, I always get such helpful feedback here and advice/information that’s made my lifestyle shift easier than I thought❤️.
Second, I’ve been using a pea protein - with a mild/earthy flavor. It’s fine, as I add stevia to it when I have a sweet craving. But I’m sure other people out there have a protein powder they swear by. I’m all ears 🌽.
Thank you!
I know it’s not a whole food, but as a fan of Edensoy Extra Unsweetened soymilk, I was disheartened to find that it is no longer available on store shelves. Does anyone know why? Is there a good alternative? 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:
Is full reversal realistic with my numbers at age 41?
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?
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?)
Any tips for the first few weeks — hydration, supplements (especially B12), monitoring, exercise, etc.?
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!
Everything other than the tofu & ketchup are from my farm share. No oil used on the air fryer potatoes, and only a tiny bit of oil for the tofu. Delicious!
Long story short: massive depression led to me not taking care of myself. Ended up with type 2 diabetes. I have not been controlling it very much at all. I’m getting neuropathy in my legs and I’m EXHAUSTED no matter how much I sleep. My gallbladder ruptured so that’s gone now.
I’ve gotten myself into this loop where I can’t get up and go to the grocery store or cook because I have no energy and can barely walk. And I’m YOUNG, goddamnit! I need to find a way to do WFPB so that it will be quick and convenient and then I can start getting some positive momentum and then give it more effort.
For context, I don’t care what I have to eat. I don’t care about flavor or quantity. I’ve just been grabbing whatever is in arms reach because I’m too tired to move and that’s usually processed crap that makes me more tired. In the past, I’ve never struggled with “strict” diets because food is just not that important to me. Self control isn’t the hard part. The hard part is that I’ve sabotaged myself and if I could just get things inching in the right direction, I can go from there.
Any ideas on snacks I can have in arms reach that help with diabetes? The gallbladder issue adds a layer of complexity because I can’t have any fat now, either. And please don’t assume that any health or diet tips are common sense. I was raised in a household of obesity and never learned the basics. Talk to me like I’m a toddler, I don’t care. I just need help. I can’t live like this anymore.