[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

I think the latter is the bigger, harder and more important step because changing what you put in your tea and avoiding sugary snacks and drinks is a relatively "simple" change.

The "normal" western diet as standard is so packed full of empty bulky carbs in the form of bread, pasta, potatoes, white rice etc. that it's a harder message to get across and also a harder change to make, requiring adjustments to every single meal rather than just simple abstinence.

In other words, you'll have a much tougher time convincing someone that their pasta salad isn't good for them than you will with a Mars Bar.

Just as you haven't said "go eat a whole loaf of bread", I've obviously never said that unlimited sugar would be a good idea, on calorie count alone it would be terrible.

My point has been that - in general - most people at risk of diabetes do NOT gorge themselves silly on huge amounts of sugar every day. They DO regularly consume plates of starchy white carbs that are 2x, 3x, 4x + the right portion size.

Thus the important lifestyle change is learning how to moderate their non-sugar carb intake.

I don't think it is that simple tbh, for many just cutting out Mars bars will be enough and there would be no need whatsoever to forgo a pasta salad. For many that is taking reducing your food choices to an extreme and is entirely unnecessary.