Type 1 & Veganism

[Caitlin Mulgrew]

Hi everyone,

I've had type 1 diabetes for about 2 and a half years now and have recently gone vegan (just under a month ago). I was wondering if anyone had any experience of being a type 1 vegan and the effects a vegan diet can have on your BG control. I know with going plant based, I'm eating more of a higher carb diet, when I know a lot of people swear by high fat/low carb. So I'm wondering if this has an impact on your BG? So far my control has stayed good but I am concerned that things could change. What advice would you give to me?

Whilst I'm on the topic, has anyone found that they have lost weight whilst following a vegan diet?

Thanks in advance!

 

[grovesy]

Welcome!

 

[Diabeticliberty]

Hello and a very warm welcome to you,

A number of forum members appear to be non meat eaters and do not appear to do any worse for it in terns of diabetic control than the rest of us. I am currently engaged in a personal conscience battle as I am starting to feel ethically opposed to meat. Sorry I digress, referring to your original question I do not personally feel that type 1 and being vegan cannot work together. I am oretty certain that they can. I would be interested to follow your progress and how you get on with stuff. I am sure you will receive responses from other forum members with more direct experience on this subject than I have.


Take care,
Geoff

 

[Martin Canty]

I'm eating more of a higher carb diet

One thing to note is that many vegetables & pulses are low in net carbs, I would still try to steer clear of grains (unless you tolerate them). One of the big things is B12 deficiency, particularly if on Metformin; to counter that you may consider using Nutritional Yeast (good source of protein & usually enriched with B12)

 

[Matt Cycle]

Hi Caitlin

I was vegan for around 4 years (this was around 15 years ago and I was vegetarian before it and vegetarian again now). I didn't notice a great deal of difference in my control. I think as long as you don't go mad on carbs you will be fine which is the case whether vegan or not. There are vegan substitutes for a large number of products but as you will have found out it involves a great deal of label reading and use of the vegan shopper guide. Virtually all the meals I had I made myself and in the rare cases when it happened - eating out was a nightmare although places do seem more switched on these days with vegan options. If your control has remained pretty good then I would say carry on as I can't think things would change a month in.

I do remember a period of adjustment and although I certainly couldn't really afford to lose weight I did lose some but after a while things settled down again. I thrived on it and would still be vegan now for ethical reasons but swapped back to being a vegetarian for the sake of family harmony. 🙄 Good luck. 🙂

 

[CMDD]

I've been type 1 for six months, I was veggie, but now gone vegan, as got worried about dropping bread etc, but carrying on with bad high fats such as cheese etc. Gone vegan for 1 month and feeling good. Lots of seitan, chia seeds etc for protein, and olives, peanut puree (not butter) ... feeling great and blood levels looking great