“Every human being, created in the image of God, is endowed with a power akin to that of the Creator—individuality, power to think and to do.”
—Ellen White, Education, page 17

Goals/Objectives: Read (and re-read) reliable and credible sources, whether in hard copy or online. Listen to/watch podcasts, videos, and full-length movies.
Time Frame: Ongoing.

Learn as much as you can about diabetes in general and your diagnosis in particular. And, while you are learning, you can change your diabetes lifestyle (starting with the five essential habits detailed in Chapter 3).

  • As a newly diagnosed diabetic, the best thing you can do is read. Research. Talk to other diabetics who have successfully managed, controlled, or reversed their diabetes.
  • Join our Adventist Vegetarian Diabetics™ private group on Facebook. Use the resources given in the group’s Files and Units.
  • Check out our supplementary website and blog.
  • Watch the recommended videos on YouTube (or other streaming services).

Educate yourself. We are here to support you by encouraging you to learn.

Articles

Look for articles that have documented references to support the statements made in the article.

Some articles are peer-reviewed scientific articles. Other articles are opinion pieces. Some “studies” are sponsored (financially and/or ideologically) by a specific industry, organization, or group. The best journalism will contain bibliographic references at the end of the article. Learn to recognize which type of article you are reading.

Avoid click-bait articles and slideshows as much as possible! Marketing people design slideshows to have multiple ads appear with every “slide” and that is distracting. I have an ad blocker on my computer, so I am not distracted by irrelevant ads.

Books

Choose one (or more) of the books below (in addition to Ellen White’s Ministry of Healing), either a good used hard copy or a Kindle format copy; you can highlight and make notes in either format! The list of books below represents the most important information sources for Adventist Vegetarian Diabetics™, whether you are type 1 or type 2, and whether you are dietary vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian, or “Adventist non-vegetarian” (eating only “clean” meat/fish).

Adventist Vegetarian Diabetics. Jacqueline Lemi-Hegarty. Adventist Vegetarian Diabetics, 2nd Edition, and accompanying Adventist Vegetarian Diabetics Recipe Book, available in both Kindle and paperback formats.
Adventist Vegetarian Diabetics began as a Private Group on Facebook in 2013 because the author, Jacqueline Lemi-Hegarty, could not find a diabetes support group, online or offline, that addressed her dietary lifestyle as a type 2 diabetic with a Seventh-day Adventist background. She was looking specifically for recipes that were either lacto-ovo vegetarian or non-vegetarian with meats that Adventists consider “clean” by Biblical standards in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. In her quest to “reverse diabetes,” she researched the internet and other Facebook groups for dietary protocols that would help diabetics normalize their blood glucose and A1C levels. She discovered that those who achieved the most success in reversing diabetes symptoms eliminate sugar in all its forms, eat unprocessed foods, and practice intermittent fasting. They may be vegan, vegetarian, or non-vegetarian. Hegarty’s experience (n=1), her observations of others’ experiences, and her research resulted in creation of this book.

Bernstein, Richard K., MD. Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars. New York: Little, Brown Spark, 2011. https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Bernsteins-Diabetes-Solution-Achieving/dp/0316182699/
Dr. Bernstein was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 12. His dietary approach is low-carb high-protein moderate-fat (LCHP), with an aggressive exercise regimen. He gives some dietary options for vegetarians. He presents principles applicable to all diabetics (for example, his chapters on “Treating a Low Blood Sugar” and “Foot Care for Diabetics”). He is now in his mid-80s and has kept his blood sugar normal (averaging 83 mg/dL) for many decades.

Fung, Jason, MD. The Diabetes Code: Prevent and Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Naturally. Vancouver, British Columbia: Greystone Books, 2018. https://www.amazon.com/Diabetes-Code-Prevent-Reverse-Naturally/dp/1771642653/
Dr. Fung is a nephrologist, practicing in Canada. Many of his kidney patients also have diabetes and obesity. He maintains it is high insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia) that causes complications of diabetes. His focus for diabetics is to (1) eliminate sugar in all its forms (especially fructose), (2) reduce refined carbohydrates and enjoy natural fats, (3) eat real food, and (4) practice intermittent fasting. Dr. Fung supports both low-carb high-healthy-fat (LCHF) and high-carb low-fat whole-food dietary vegan (WFPB), whatever approach lowers your insulin levels.

Moore, Jimmy, and Christine Moore, NTP. Real Food Keto: Applying Nutritional Therapy to Your Low-Carb, High-Fat Diet. Las Vegas: Victory Belt Publishing, 2018. https://www.amazon.com/Real-Food-Keto-Applying-Nutritional/dp/162860316X/
This book attempts to educate readers about why whole foods are a critical element in optimizing your pursuit of nutritional ketosis. Real Food Keto also shares information about specific foods that provide the essential vitamins and minerals, resources on where to find quality foods, and a nice collection of good keto recipes.

Ruhl, Jenny. Blood Sugar 101: What They Don’t Tell You About Diabetes, 2nd Ed.  Turners Falls, Massachusetts: Technion Books, 2016. https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Sugar-101-About-Diabetes-dp-0964711664/dp/0964711664/
This book is available in paperback or Kindle from Amazon. There is also a website at https://www.bloodsugar101.com/. Jenny Ruhl not only provides citations to documented peer-reviewed scientific studies, but gives a detailed review of the articles, plus time-tested techniques to enable you to lower your blood sugar to the truly normal levels that prevent or reverse complications of diabetes and restore normal health. Dr. Bernstein writes, “This book should be read by all diabetics because of the valuable material that cannot be found elsewhere.”

Westman, Eric C., MD, with Amy Berger, Certified Nutrition Specialist. End Your Carb Confusion: A Simple Guide to Customize Your Carb Intake for Optimal Health. Las Vegas: Victory Belt Publishing (December 15, 2020). https://www.amazon.com/End-Your-Carb-Confusion-Customize/dp/1628604298/
Amazon says: “Eric Westman, MD, has over twenty years of experience as an internal medicine doctor and obesity medicine specialist. He’s helped patients at his Keto Medicine Clinic at Duke University lose over 26,000 pounds and reverse conditions like type 2 diabetes, PCOS, high blood pressure, and more. The straightforward plan laid out in End Your Carb Confusion fits into any lifestyle, whether you shop at an organic co-op or a discount chain and will help you reach your goals whether you prefer gourmet meals or fast food. No matter where you’re starting from, End Your Carb Confusion can lead you to your destination—a renewed body, mind, and spirit.”

Westman, Eric C., MD., Stephen D. Phinney, MD, and Jeff S. Volek, PhD. The New Atkins for a New You. New York: Atria Books, 2010. https://www.amazon.com/New-Atkins-You-Ultimate-Shedding/dp/1439190275/
Dr. Westman is an internationally known researcher specializing in low-carbohydrate nutrition and is Director of the Duke Lifestyle Medicine Clinic at Duke University. He is co-author of several books that support a low-carb high-fat moderate-protein (LCHF) way of eating in treating diabetes and obesity. The New Atkins for a New You (March 2, 2010) totally debunks the stereotype that Atkins is a high-meat diet, and it gives specific dietary options for vegetarians and vegans. His tagline is “No sugar, no starch.”

White, Ellen G. The Ministry of Healing. Copyright © 2010, Ellen G. White Estate, Inc.; 1 edition (December 5, 2010). Originally published in Nampa: Pacific Press, 1905.  https://www.amazon.com/Ministry-Healing-Ellen-G-White-ebook/dp/B00655B1SO
The sections dealing with nutrition and temperance are Chapters 23-26. Online version: https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/135/toc. This book emphasizes the link between diet and spiritual growth. Reviewers have written, “It is a diet book, a self-help book, and a Christian spiritual guide all rolled into one.”

For an additional book list, please refer to our “More Books” on our website.

The 8 Laws of Health

While you are learning about diabetes by reading your chosen book(s) from the above list, continue your learning by reading about “The 8 Laws of Health” and seek to understand how each of the eight “true remedies” applies to your diabetes lifestyle and will improve your diabetic health.

Classes and Support Groups

You may attend diabetes classes or seminars, in real time or online. You may also find and join support groups in real time at a local geographic location (when you aren’t in quarantine), or online, most conveniently on Facebook. Before you join a Facebook group, be sure to read the group’s description (under “About”) to find out if that group would be a good fit for you. Also, be aware that many groups require you to answer questions before they will accept or decline your request to join.

Short Videos (less than 1 hour)

Fung, Jason, MD. “The Perfect Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes.” YouTube, uploaded by Dr. Jason Fung Diabetes, August 11, 2019. https://youtu.be/oFJ5Sv5ifes [12:11]
Dr. Eenfeldt of Diet Doctor interviews Dr. Jason Fung. This is Dr. Fung’s classic and clear explanation of what sugar does in the body, how sugar creates insulin resistance, and how we can reverse type 2 diabetes. Watch this video if you watch nothing else!

Hallberg, Dr. Sarah. “Reversing Type 2 Diabetes Starts with Ignoring the Guidelines.” YouTube, uploaded by TedX Talks, May 4, 2015. https://youtu.be/da1vvigy5tQ [18:11]
The presenter is Dr. Sarah Hallberg, the medical director and founder of the Indiana University Arnett Health Medical Weight Loss Program. Here’s a great TEDx talk (with a release date of May 2015) on how to reverse type 2 diabetes using LCHF (low-carb high-fat) diets.

Mowll, Dr. Brian. “Blood Sugar 101 with Dr. Brian Mowll.” Vimeo, uploaded by SweetLife Diabetes Health Center, October 11, 2016. https://vimeo.com/186431392/182c7ec4b8 [22:15]
In this video, Dr. Mowll reveals the secrets to optimal blood sugar testing and management, including what is really normal blood sugar and A1C, and the most important factors to reverse type 2 diabetes.

Full-length Movies (videos over 1 hour)

Please see “Full-length Movies” on our website: https://adventistvegetariandiabetics.com/resources/full-length-movies/

Adventist Vegetarian Diabetics™ Recommends:

  • Select and read one or more of the recommended books.
  • Watch one or more of the short videos listed in this chapter.
  • Become an astute reader of articles about diabetes, whether documented scientific studies or mainstream opinion pieces.