After placing his type 2 diabetes into remission through a low carb, real food approach, Richard Shaw decided to write a book about his experience in the hopes that it would help to inspire others with type 2 to change their lifestyle.
Richard had trained at a prestigious cooking school before deciding to travel around the US sampling the cuisine in different cities. It was during this trip that he began to experience symptoms of diabetes. One night after consuming nearly a whole tray of doughnuts, he had woken up the next day with blurred vision.
“I got a flight straight back the next day and saw a doctor, that’s when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The advice he gave me was very generic, follow a low fat diet with lots of starchy carbohydrates. I was sent away with a bag of medication. I felt like a number in the system.”
Finding hope
The turning point for Richard came when saw presented on the BBC results from the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT) which found that placing people on a calorie-restricted meal replacement diet helped them to place their type 2 diabetes into remission.
“It went against everything we’d been told about type 2 diabetes, it was a blinding revelation, it gave me hope.”
A foodie at heart, Richard decided to adopt a real-food approach over the meal-replacement shakes, focusing on low carb rather than low calorie and instead practicing portion control.
“Before I used to drink a litre of fruit juice. I’d consume entire cakes and tubs of ice cream. It’s been a big switch, but now I enjoy homemade freshly prepared food, and nothing is processed.”
Within five months of making the changes, Richard had lost 31kg (4st 12lbs), his blood pressure and cholesterol had reduced, and his blood sugars had lowered to within normal range.
“The best part is that I no longer have to take medication, I no longer have a chronic illness and I [no longer have diabetes.]”
“99.9% of people have been supportive. My colleagues at work have been brilliant, they even hide the biscuit barrel from me. There was even a moment when one shouted ‘stop!’ in front of the whole open office as he saw me reach for one. It was a little embarrassing.”
A novel idea
Richard kept a diary on his low carb journey which motivated him to keep on track. It later inspired him to write a book on his experience.
“When I was losing weight one thing I was missing was being able to talk to someone who had been through a similar experience.
“I’d read books by David Cavan and Michael Mosely but what I didn’t find was someone like me, no medical degree, just an overweight middle-aged man who’d decided to change his diet.
‘Conquer Type 2 diabetes’ includes Richard’s own meal and exercise plan alongside 40 delicious low carb recipes.
“Act soon, statistics have shown us that the earlier you make the changes, the better chance of remission.
“Don’t delay – go for it!”
‘Conquer Type 2 Diabetes’ is now available in Waterstones, Hammersmith Books and on Amazon and BOOKS etc.
Photo: LiterallyPR
