Despite growing up on a small farm with fresh produce, diabetes was a constant threat for Ann - her sisters, mum, grandmother, and aunts had all developed type 2 diabetes. Ann was devastated when she received the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes that she had dreaded, but despite facing hurdles, including a heart attack in 2022, she remained committed to overcoming her family history. Now, having lost weight, with an HbA1c below 6.5 and out of type 2 diabetes range, she’s passionate about the food on the Defeat Diabetes Program.

“When I retired at 68, I had no idea the journey I was about to embark on. With a family history riddled with type 2 diabetes—three of my five sisters, my mum, both grandmothers and aunts—I knew I had to take action. Growing up in the country on a small acreage, we always had plenty of fresh fruit and veg, our own milk and eggs, and I even bred ducks! But despite this healthy upbringing, the fear of developing diabetes was always with me.

“So in 2014, I was shocked and appalled when a routine blood test showed I was now living with type 2 diabetes. I thought my GP was joking, but seeing the number 14 on my glucose tolerance test was a reality check. I refused blood-glucose-lowering medication and instead took my GPs advice to lose weight, starting with the CSIRO diet.  My journey wasn’t just about losing weight, although I did lose 8 kgs; it was about taking control of my health and future."

Low carb just clicked

“Still, my blood glucose refused to return to the non-diabetic range. Discovering the Defeat Diabetes Program through Diabetes Australia was a game-changer. I had been dabbling with low carb (using a meal-replacement shake) for a while, but the Defeat Diabetes Program made it all click. The advice is spot on, the recipes are delicious and filling, and thankfully, everything is available here in Australia—no need for obscure ingredients! When I first looked at the meal plans, I thought, ‘Well, everyone could eat that!’ - no one needs to eat flour and potatoes! 

“Despite some bumps along the way, like an unhelpful dietitian insisting I eat white bread and margarine (marg is just one step away from poison, in my view!), I persevered. My journey hasn’t been without its challenges. In 2018, I had a severe chest infection. When I was admitted to the hospital, the nurse assumed I was on metformin and was surprised when I insisted I wasn’t. The hospital food was abysmal, and I left feeling worse than when I went in. In 2022, I had a heart attack, attributed to stress. Again, my primary care team tried to put me on diabetes medication. The heart attack was a wake-up call, and instead of giving up, I promised my daughter I'd get healthy. Starting with a meal shake replacement and the Defeat Diabetes recipes, I found a sustainable way to improve my health and blood glucose."

Falling in love with food again

“The recipes in the program are so good that it’s easy to stick to a low carb diet. I love cooking Chicken Parmigiana and Bacon Soldiers with Eggs, and I'm eager to try the Silky Salmon Curry. At a recent catch-up with neighbours, my Defeat Diabetes low carb Banana Bread was the star of the show—they couldn’t get enough!

“The encouragement from the Defeat Diabetes community has been fantastic. The medically backed approach and focus on promoting a healthy, low carb lifestyle just make sense to me. My weight is stable (although I’d still like to lose a little more); my back pain has improved, and I've cut down on painkillers and anti-inflammatories. It’s not just about managing type 2 diabetes; it's about overall wellness."

Better than cake

“I’ll continue to shout from the rooftops about the benefits of the Defeat Diabetes Program. You don't have to eat cakes or heaps of bread to feel good—trust me, seeing your HbA1c go down feels much, much better! Even if some folks remain sceptical, I know firsthand how transformative this lifestyle can be. My HbA1c is now down to 6.4%, and I am officially out of range for type 2 diabetes.

“I have two daughters, neither of whom is diabetic, but our family history makes me all the more aware of the importance of maintaining this approach. Seeing my youngest daughter watch what I’m doing and sharing some of the Defeat Diabetes recipes with her gives me hope - that, finally, she’ll be the one to break the cycle of our family’s history of type 2 diabetes.”