How I’m beating diabetes ..with food

Financial services worker Robin Swindell, 48, of North London, shed 8st after a shock type 2 diabetes diagnosis. As UK Diabetes Awareness Week starts, he tells his story ....

I’d been quite active as a child but as I got older, my work and personal life were very busy and my diet got very, very unhealthy. I’d been dieting on and off since I was a teenager. I’d tried them all – couldn’t keep the weight off.

When I was diagnosed with diabetes four years ago I was 21st. I don’t know exactly what caused it but lifestyle and obesity are big factors, as is genetics – and my family has a history of the condition.

I was diagnosed when I went to my GP, feeling run down. It was a pretty nasty shock. Overwhelming and very scary.

I went home and looked up diabetes online and there were lots of worrying stories. I became concerned I would lose my eyesight, my hearing, or even a limb.

Thankfully, a few days later, I was directed to the Diabetes UK website. They were fantastic in offering advice on how to manage my condition and reduce the risks of serious complications.

That was a life-changing moment. With longterm conditions you need to be in charge of your own treatment and look after your own lifestyle.

I needed to lose weight. I didn’t eat a particularly unhealthy diet before but my portions were far too big. My job involved a lot of entertaining, so I was eating out quite a bit and drinking too.

After I was diagnosed with diabetes I made small changes which were easy to stick to. I tried to keep breakfast simple, often having porridge or yoghurt, before a salad with some fruit for lunch, rather than lots of bread. I also began to plan an evening menu for the week to stop me being tempted to get a takeaway. Now I’ve become a champion of healthy cooking. I’d make a batch of chicken and quinoa stew on Sunday night and instead of getting a Chinese takeaway I’d make my recipe for bang bang chicken salad. And while I still love ice cream I have it only on special occasions – and don’t beat myself up if I do indulge now and again. I lost 4st in the first six months and the same amount in the following three-and-a-half years or so. At 6ft, I’m now a healthy 13st and feel fantastic – and certainly a lot more comfortable with myself. And I’ve become more active. Rather than slumping on the sofa after work, I’ve started running. I’ve completed marathons and do my local 5km Park Run on a Saturday morning. My partner Gail has been very supportive. She was very scared when I was diagnosed – she was getting over breast cancer at the time and it seemed a cruel blow. Thankfully my lifestyle change is paying off. I’ve been able to cut the amount of medication I take, which is great as there were some unpleasant side effects, like an upset stomach. When I was diagnosed I was taking 150mg of Metformin a day, lowering the sugar in my blood, plus a daily statin to protect me from cardiovascular problems. I’m now three months into a trial with no medication and will have tests in a few months to see how my body is coping. I have an annual review with my GP and a yearly eye check at a specialist clinic. I no longer think about diabetes all the time and I’m no longer scared. Changes I’ve made have become part of everyday life and I’ve found a lot of positives in what would otherwise be a bad situation. I’d advise anyone diagnosed not to panic. It is tough but making small, consistent changes in your everyday life can be of enormous benefit. Sign up to receive recipe videos, meal plans and much more at diabetes.org.uk/feelgood-food

11.9M people in the UK are at increased risk of getting type 2 diabetes I turned to healthy grub and feel fab