He's also insulin dependent Type 2 Diabetic, and struggling with blood pressure and cholesterol (ie - a hell of a success story waiting to be told...if he'd get started). This, of course, is very bad. However, he seems to be convinced that he can't lose the weight, and that doing so would require him to eat "rabbit food," and he's a stubborn old bat, to boot ("you can have my bread when you pry it from my cold, dead hand").

I'll speak from experience here and you can pass this on to your father in law. I'm a Type 1 diabetic (insulin dependent). For years I struggled to control my diabetes along with my weight. At my worst, I was using about 160 units of fast acting insulin and 70 units of long lasting per day and my blood sugars were still high.

I became fed up especially since insulin doubled in price back in 2012. So I switched to Paleo in August 2012. Within the first week, my daily insulin doses cut in half. I didn't track food but I estimate I ate about 3000 calories per day. A couple months later, people began saying I'd lost weight. But my goal was to use less insulin so I didn't weigh myself. Then I checked in December 2012. I'd lost 20 pounds just by eating Paleo and using less insulin. In January 2013, I lost another 5 pounds by the same routine. So in 5 months, I lost 25 pounds by switching to Paleo and using less insulin. Note: I lost more weight after I began exercising which was last February.

From what I've read, injecting insulin causes weight gain. Then couple that with eating a high amount of carbs, diabetics will struggle with weight as well as have high blood sugars. So when I began using less insulin, switched to Paleo and limited carbs, the weight came off without exercise or monitoring my calorie intake. Currently, my A1C is at 6% and I now use 35 units of long lasting and 15 to 25 units of fast acting insulin per day.

If your father in law did switch to Paleo even by a moderate approach or if he just limited carbs, since he's a Type 2 diabetic, there's a strong possibility he wouldn't need insulin anymore. I'm sure you know Paleo is not rabbit food. I'm not sure if he lives close by, but you could bring him some meals to let him try the food.

Wow. Thanks for sharing your experience. It's very profound. I was wondering if Type 1 diabetics could control their blood sugar with diet and reduce reliance on insulin. I was thinking it would be possible but am well aware that Type 1 and Type 2 are different. I would never tell someone with Type 1 that they could entirely resolve diabetes with diet; however, it is my opinion that Type 2 can be prevented by diet, or if already present, controlled very well by diet. I've known many Type 2 diabetics and I am blown away that some of them continue a lifestyle that can lead to amputation, blindness, and a generally crappy quality of life and premature death. However, much of the blame rests with the health professionals that are still giving very bad dietary advice to diabetics. Following that recommended diet I am forever craving and bingeing, but my "lack of willpower" would be blamed, not the bad advice. (I was prediabetic before going keto Paleo/primal in August 2012.)

Interesting we both went Paleo the same month and year

Two of my co-workers are type 2 diabetics and they saw the results with me. They're still the same and overweight. Plus both are close to retirement and I've told each numerous times, "Do you want to enjoy your retirement with or without health complications?" It's not their doctor's fault, both know better but say they love food especially carbs. I still love food too and have no problem eating Paleo for the rest of my life. MFP taught me to eat in moderation.

When I received the results of the last A1C test the (6%). I dreamed of such a day that I could go without insulin. At one point, it did occur (partially): last summer while in the hospital recovering from surgery. The nurses said my blood sugar was too low and did not give me fast-acting insulin the entire time I was there (17 days).

There are Type 1 diabetics who do not use insulin. It's a strict food plan which dictates to not eat fruit and only veggies that are low on the glycemic index scale such that only 30g of carbs of consumed each day: 6g morning, 12g each lunch and dinner in order to be in ketosis as well as exercise vigorously. People who are successful have normal blood sugars in the 80 to 100 range. I've tried consuming less than 50g of carbs per day and burn 500+ calories per day 6 days a week. Unfortunately I still need insulin in order to keep my blood sugars below 120. At this point, I think I'm dependent on insulin. But I'm happy at the amount I take now compared to 18 months ago.

That is an interesting coincidence!

I notice that i am still having difficulty with carbs and craving fruit. I had my carbs at 5% for the first year and thought I could go up to 10%. After completing a second Whole30 shortly before Christmas, I went off the deep end with sugar at Christmas and have been struggling ever since. Some days I'm around 30 grams, but often well over. I'm in the low to mid level of ketosis. Perhaps my metabolism is permanently damaged and I need to eat as you outlined above, permanently. Hmmm….

Wow, carbs at 5%. That's great Currently I'm 15% to 20% carbs primarily from veggies. The focus on veggies is to ensure I get enough nutrients such as potassium. I did a 3-week Whole 30 after Thanksgiving with a goal to reduce the consumption of fruit. The only fruit I have right now is from homemade apple pie Larabars which use medjool dates and dehydrated apples. I've contemplated intermittent fasting this year but unsure how to do with being a type 1 diabetic. The goal would be to reduce the remaining fat on me: stomach due to multiple insulin injections aka "insulin bubble belly."