I’m so pleased with my progress to manage my Type 1 diabetes! By eating a diet HIGH in carbohydrates and low in fat, based on the Starch Solution and Mastering Diabetes programs, I have significantly improved my blood sugar control and reduced the amount of insulin I take. Both recommend a health-promoting Whole Food (unrefined or minimally processed) Plant-based diet.

Before and After

Before I started eating a high carb, low fat diet, my average glucose was much more difficult to control. I dealt with major daily swings of my blood sugar (glucose) levels, and it was generally quite high. I have experienced amazing improvement, as you can see in the charts below:

• In January 2020, my glucose average was 160 mg/dl, or 6.6 Hb A1c.
• In March 2020, my glucose average was 108 mg/dl, or 5.2 Hb A1c!

My glucose time-in-range (not too low and not too high) went from 70% to 94%!

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Even though I now eat MORE carbohydrates than ever, my total daily insulin dose has decreased by 46%.

• In January 2020, my average daily insulin dose was 33.5.
• In March 2020, my average daily insulin dose was 18.38!

How is this Possible?

Isn’t it true that the amount of insulin you need is based on the number of carbs you eat?

Mostly. The type of carbs, as well as how much protein and fat you consume with the carbs, also matter (along with numerous other factors). Consuming excess fat and protein made my glucose much less predictable, and required significantly more insulin. This is due to INSULIN RESISTANCE, which is when your cells don’t efficiently respond to insulin.

“Insulin resistance is caused by the accumulation of excess fat in tissues that are not designed to store large quantities of fat.”

“Mastering Diabetes” by Cyrus Khambatta, PhD and Robby Barbaro, MPH

Being trim and eating a whole foods, plant-based diet with minimal fat (<15% of your calories) are the KEYS to reducing INSULINE RESISTANCE. In my lifetime, I may never see a cure for Type 1 diabetes (an auto-immune disease that kills insulin-producing cells), but I’m excited that I can at least have significantly more control over it.

What About Type 2 Diabetes?

By following this diet, people living with Type 2 diabetes (which is caused by insulin resistance due to abdominal fat) can cure themselves of all symptoms, allowing them to stop taking Type 2 diabetes medications and insulin. There are thousands of testimonials. For example, check out the transformation stories from Bob Blackburn, Marc Ramirez, or Barbara Leary.

What Do I Eat?

I eat between 1,200-1,500 calories per day, which typically includes at least 200 grams of carbs per day, and less than 25 grams of fat per day. Since January 20, I have lost 25 pounds.

I start most days with a big bowl of fruit, and then I make delicious and healthy meals using whole food (REAL & unrefined food) and plant-based food. Namely, I eat lots of starches like beans, rice, pastas, potatoes, as well as lots of veggies and fruits. I’m never hungry because these foods are natually low in calories, which allows me to eat as much as I want, and the starches are filling and satisfying. By following the Starch Solution, I know I am able to joyfully maintain this diet for the rest of my life. I am proud to have recently received my Starch Solution certification, so I am fully knowledgeable and can help others.

I eat a lot of bean dishes, like Red Beans & Rice and Basil Lentils, and I enjoy a variety of potato and pasta dishes, savory soups, and sandwiches. You can follow me on Instagram or Facebook to see my favorite recipes. Please also subscribe to my Libby Rome Youtube Channel to follow my weight loss transformation (recipe videos coming soon!).

Questions or comments? I’d love to hear from you in the Comments section below.