Nine years ago I was diagnosed with diabetes type 2, which I've been managing with meds. At the beginning of this year, my three monthly blood sugar reading was far too high, and I was told it was time to graduate to injecting insulin. I negotiated a delay with my doctor, and changed my diet to a more moderate version of the one suggested by Dr Joel Fuhrman, in "The End of Diabetes". It's a very restrictive diet (basically vegan, no sugar, no alcohol or fruit juice, no carbs) which I've stretched to include eggs and yoghurt; and bread around once a week. I eat a large amount of green veggies and replace carbs with legumes - lentils, chick peas, beans. I've been monitored at the hospital once a month while on this diet.

I don't keep bread, pasta ,or rice at home, and I eat a lot more nuts and seeds. Since being on the diet I have more than halved my blood sugar levels, no longer experience retinal bleeds and nerve pain associated with diabetes, and have lost 9 kilos. The best thing is, I was told this week that my blood sugar averages are so good that I will not be going on insulin and don't have to go back for a check up for another year.

I see myself following this regime for the rest of my life.

freda