From S.A.D. To Hopeful

Phew! Maybe I will finally get this post out today. I’ve meaning to write an update for what feels like forever.

My son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after we went to the ER almost 2 weeks ago. At the time, we were very ignorant about the disease and only knew what modern medicine tells us. So naturally, we were quite upset with the news.

After we arrived back home, I was researching my heart out. I knew there had to be more than simply living off of insulin shots.

Everyone, doctors, nutritionists, educators, kept reiterating to us the same thing over and over again. “There’s nothing you could have done to stop this. This was going to happen no matter what.” But the one that stuck out to me most was: “There’s nothing you can do to improve his condition. You can’t treat this with diet.” When I heard this, a front went up and a voice said, “That’s a lie.”

So as I was saying, I went home and did my own research. I came across a long article that offered some hope.

First thing I did, cut out dairy and gluten. That article, amongst a few others agreed that T1 diabetics need to cut out all dairy and gluten from their diet. (Although, I read goat milk would be ok? But I don’t have access to that anyways.)

I noticed some improvements already..at least at some points in the day. My kids love their snacks. They love apples, bananas, and baked goods. As long as I bought dairy-free and gluten-free snacks, I thought it was ok. Nope. Didn’t matter how small of a sugary treat he had, whether it was bars or fruit, his body did not reapond well, and we could tell immediately.

A few days later, I made a comment over at @mericanhomestead’s patreon, and he told me about a website he saved since diabetes runs in his family. healthesolutions.com I have been absorbing all the info I can from that site. I bought their recipe e-book, and we have made even more diet changes. Now, all sugar is out, along with anything that is high-glycemic.

The last few days, we’ve really seen a difference! His blood sugars are starting to stabilize, and his moods are so much better! Last night in fact, his blood sugar dipped too low. When I talked to the Dr. today, she told me to take him off the long-acting insulin for a few days and see how he does. (He hasn’t had to take short-acting for a few days now.) So for the time being, he does not have to take insulin.

Of course, it had to be mentioned before I hung up that they can only hope this will last for awhile, but they know from experience that it won’t last forever. Well, time will only tell. I’m filled with hope that this lifestyle change will help him heal.

I think the only thing making this new diet change easier than I expected, is knowing that we’re doing it for my son. While I don’t know the exact reason the Father allowed this happen, I can’t help think part of it may have been to wake me up. Like it was His way of telling me to eat His food, not man’s food.

I didn’t think we ate that badly. However, the Big Man often told me that I fed our family way too many carbs (and not the good kinds either.) In reality, we really were eating a Standard American Diet.

After this diet change though, the Big Man tells me if we keep eating like this, there’s no excuse we shouldn’t all have a six-pack. Haha!

I will try to give updates in the future for how this is all working out. Maybe I’ll share some new recipes I’m using too! I thought for sure, we’d have to eat the same ol’ boring things everyday, but that’s not true! I just made son chocolate chip cookies that the kids can enjoy, guilt free!

Hope you are all having a wonderful day! God bless.