Staying LC in Baranquilla, Colombia
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cstehansen
Posts: 1,984 Member
I have been in Baranquilla since Saturday on a mission trip. It has been amazing in many ways. I assumed there would be no way to stay LC down here given the only veggies they eat seem to be potatoes, corn and rice. Plantains (just think bananas with way more sugar) are served with nearly every meal.
The people here are amazing and WAY less judgmental than those I normally encounter. I mention that I don't eat carbs, and the next thing I know, they are have done their very best to make sure there are options they believe to be low carb. For the most part, they did a very good job with very little explanation from me, and they were not even a little offended when I left food on my plate.
One of the doctors I met who came down on this trip totally gets the keto approach to diabetes. He also told me how he has managed to convince several people in his extended family to drop their statins and replace with proper diet. It was awesome having intelligent conversations with a medical professional on this topic and knowing part of the the treatment he is providing to the people here is helping them with their diets. There is actually more diabetes than you would expect in some of these poor neighborhoods where people look thin, but because of the diets that are so high in starches, they end up with untreated diabetes. It is crazy to think someone can be both malnourished AND diabetic. To listen to the establishment, this is a contradiction because diabetes is caused by overeating.
The doc was just as frustrated as most in this group are with how the ADA and other "experts" keep giving such horrible diet advice. In his words, "it isn't about watching carbs, it's about CUTTING carbs!"
It is always encouraging to know some doctors really do stay up to date with research and don't just follow status quo.
The people here are amazing and WAY less judgmental than those I normally encounter. I mention that I don't eat carbs, and the next thing I know, they are have done their very best to make sure there are options they believe to be low carb. For the most part, they did a very good job with very little explanation from me, and they were not even a little offended when I left food on my plate.
One of the doctors I met who came down on this trip totally gets the keto approach to diabetes. He also told me how he has managed to convince several people in his extended family to drop their statins and replace with proper diet. It was awesome having intelligent conversations with a medical professional on this topic and knowing part of the the treatment he is providing to the people here is helping them with their diets. There is actually more diabetes than you would expect in some of these poor neighborhoods where people look thin, but because of the diets that are so high in starches, they end up with untreated diabetes. It is crazy to think someone can be both malnourished AND diabetic. To listen to the establishment, this is a contradiction because diabetes is caused by overeating.
The doc was just as frustrated as most in this group are with how the ADA and other "experts" keep giving such horrible diet advice. In his words, "it isn't about watching carbs, it's about CUTTING carbs!"
It is always encouraging to know some doctors really do stay up to date with research and don't just follow status quo.
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I've known two diabetics who were quite thin but they were both T1D's. I've met a few normal weight T2D's but most do seem to be overweight, mainly the ones that are heavily on meds and aren't able to manage with diet and exercise alone. Yep, plantains have a ton of starch, yummy though, that will be the hard part for me in Jamaica later this year. Glad your friends were able to hunt up relatively LC food for you.0
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Wow. Sounds like a great trip. Are you there long?
I am one who developed insulin resistance while at a normal weight, or just a few pounds above a normal BMI. I gained weight afterwards. For me, sweets and carbs were a problem. That and probably a nudge forwards by steroids. Either way.
I think many type 2s may be overweight because of the foods they were eating, which can make moderation more difficult. Swinging blood sugar makes it harder to cut back when you get hungry. I think quite a few type 2s may have developed type 2 because of the foods they were eating and not because they happened to be overweight.... The foods they eat can to lead to T2D and obesity in many, and not that the obesity led to T2D.
If that made any sense.
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My father and his older sister were tall (6'4" and 6'0" respectively) thin string beans their whole lives. Yet, they developed T2 in their 40s. My grandmother also had T2, very serious case that led to serious eye problems and the amputation of her foot. I've always thought that there must be some genetic component to it although my dad did love his cookies and his sister was a Coke (as in soda) addict. My grandmother, on the other hand, always seemed to eat a healthy, balanced diet. My 6'5" youngest brother, who is built just like my dad, has developed high blood sugar in his mid 40's. Fortunately, he's controlled it with diet and exercise. This is why I have adopted a LCHF WOE, I don't want to be next.1
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Wow. Sounds like a great trip. Are you there long?
I am one who developed insulin resistance while at a normal weight, or just a few pounds above a normal BMI. I gained weight afterwards. For me, sweets and carbs were a problem. That and probably a nudge forwards by steroids. Either way.
I think many type 2s may be overweight because of the foods they were eating, which can make moderation more difficult. Swinging blood sugar makes it harder to cut back when you get hungry. I think quite a few type 2s may have developed type 2 because of the foods they were eating and not because they happened to be overweight.... The foods they eat can to lead to T2D and obesity in many, and not that the obesity led to T2D.
If that made any sense.
Just heading back via Miami to Dallas area right now. Great week!1
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