We lost 13st on a liquid diet and waved goodbye to silent killer – here’s how

A LIQUID diet may not sound delicious but for people with Type 2 diabetes, it could be a lifeline.

Five million Brits are estimated to be ­living with diabetes — ten per cent with Type 1, 90 per cent with Type 2 — and cases have doubled in the past 15 years.

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GP Rachel Ward, of Woodlands ­Medical Centre, Didcot, Oxon, told Sun Health these stats are “closely linked to high rates of obesity and poor diets”. But a soup and shakes diet on the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path To Remission Programme is set to slim waists and save lives.

It is being rolled out across England after a pilot scheme three years ago saw participants lose on average 2st in just three months, with 36 per cent putting their ­diabetes into remission within two years.

The NHS spends £10billion annually on diabetes treatment — around ten per cent of its entire budget — with 500 people dying prematurely every year because of it.

Dr Ward says: “Type 2 diabetes predisposes people to many other serious illnesses.

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“It significantly increases the risk of heart ­disease, stroke, eye problems, kidney failure and nerve problems, to name a few.

“Diabetes affects every organ system in your body, so we are facing a time-bomb of diabetes-related health and wellbeing ­complications in coming years if we don’t get a handle on this.” Access to the ­programme really cannot come soon enough, but it is not a quick fix.

So what does the year-long programme involve, and how hard is it to live on shakes and soups alone for the first 12 weeks?

Ella Walker spoke to two people who have done it and seen their Type 2 diabetes retreat into remission . . .

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John, 57, lost 7st 7lbs

JOHN Fawcett, 57, a software engineer from Waltham, near Grimsby, is coming to the end of the NHS programme. At his ­heaviest he was 21st and is now just under 13st 7lbs. He says:

"I’VE always been a little overweight, but it started to really creep on during lockdown.

I was breathless, tired all the time and wasn’t sleeping well. I didn’t want to go out. I was self-conscious and thought people were judging me.

At a check-up, the nurse said I was verging on Type 2 diabetes – that was very scary, particularly because I’m a grandad now.

That jolted me into sorting myself out. I want to be around longer for my grandson.

The soups and shakes aren’t the nicest in the world, although the banana, strawberry and chocolate ones are quite tasty.

My partner was very ­supportive and one of the secrets to my success was, while she had her tea, I would go for my walk. I did miss a nice glass of red and there were barbecues where everybody ate burgers and I had a milkshake, but I followed it to the letter.

Now, back on food, I aim for 1,500-2,000 calories a day. I’ve lost 7½st – more than my grandson weighs.

I’m more outgoing, feel a lot healthier and I’ve probably added ten years to my life. I can run around after my grandson now and my diabetes is in remission – I’m very proud of that.

I don’t have takeaways but there’s temptation all around – sugary doughnuts, crisps, fish and chips, McDonald’s.

But the programme has educated me that it’s all about balance.

There’s no way I want to go back to the way I was – I’ve got a brand new ­wardrobe!

The programme is a fantastic opportunity.

It’s a challenge and requires self-control.

You’ve got to really believe and want it, but   it is worth it."

Heidi Gibson, 54, lost 5st 5lbs

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CHEF Heidi Gibson, 54, from Beverley, East Yorks, is mum to Kimberley, 36, and Joshua, 26. Her partner Stuart, 58, is a forklift truck driver.

Heidi weighed 19st 2lbs at her heaviest and lost 5st 5lbs after starting the programme in February 2022.

She had been on pills, including metformin, for blood pressure and diabetes, She says:

"I’VE struggled with my weight since leaving school.

I’m vegetarian, but I ate unhealthy pizza and pasta.

I was a bit blasé about being ­diagnosed with Type 2, thinking, ‘It’s only diabetes, it doesn’t matter’. But it does. I struggled through lockdown to get it under control and it was getting dangerously high. I was surprised by how easy I found the programme.

I liked not having to think about what to eat – just a sachet of milkshake was great. As a chef, there’s lots of popping bits of cake in your mouth without realising. It was hard to break that habit, but my co-workers became my tasters.

I had one cheese sandwich. I was expecting to think, ‘This is delicious,’ but I actually thought, ‘That was a total waste of time.’

After the 12 weeks, I introduced one meal a day, then two the second week, and by week three, full meals. It was ­fantastic how quickly my blood glucose levels dropped.

I sent photos of meals to the support team and weighed myself on scales that sent the reading to them.

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That was really helpful because at slimming clubs you’ll say, ‘I don’t know why I’ve put a pound on, I’ve been really good,’ and you know you haven’t been.

You’ve got to be honest otherwise there’s no point. The best bit was being able to come off all my medication.

You don’t realise how lethargic you are with the weight. When you lose it, you realise how bad it made you feel.

I feel fitter now than I did 20 years ago. Losing the weight was a doddle, but   avoiding bad habits is hard!"

What does the plan involve?

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THERE is no boiled cabbage, charcoal cleanses or laxatives in sight.

NHS England’s eligible diet participants:

•  Receive diet replacement products including soups and shakes, for every meal for 12 weeks, amounting to 800-900 calories a day.
•  Receive support and monitoring for 12 months, including help to ­reintroduce food.
• Can track progress via one-to-ones, group sessions, digital support and ­coaching.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

THE diet is not suitable for everyone – you have to be referred via your GP.

To be eligible for the programme – already available in 21 parts of England – you must:

•  Be aged 18-65.
• Have a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes within the last six years.
• Have a BMI over ??27kg/m2?? (if from white ethnic groups) or over ??25kg/m2?? (if from black, Asian and other ethnic groups).

WHAT IF I’M NOT ELIGIBLE?

There’s still support available to help you reach a healthier weight and manage glucose levels.

The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme is available free, nationwide, for people dealing with obesity and diabetes and/or high blood pressure.

Your GP/pharmacist can refer you for the 12-week online course, designed to help you develop healthier eating habits and move more.

The Low Carb Program is also NHS-approved. Again, your GP can refer you – and it helps anyone with Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes to take control of their condition.

Research carried out by Dr David Unwin and his team at Norwood GP practice, Southport, saw 128 people with Type 2 diabetes follow a low-carb diet for 23 months.

They lost an average of 18lbs each and 46 per cent achieved drug-free remission.

Dr Unwin said: “Lots of people know sugar is bad for you, but few understand how much sugar you get from digesting starchy carbs such as bread, rice and potatoes.

“Eating 150g of boiled rice could affect your blood glucose in the same way as eating ten teaspoons of sugar.”

Below, Dr Unwin – author of The Diabetes Weight-Loss Cookbook – shares his tips for going low carb:

•  If you have diabetes, it is important to discuss any diet plan with a healthcare professional before you begin.

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TAKE STOCK: It’s no good trying to go low carb but having no alternatives in the cupboard – you’ll just get hungry and give in. Bin any white bread and pasta you have in your cupboard to avoid temptation.

AVOID THESE: Reduce sugar and starchy carbohydrates such as breakfast cereals, bread, pasta, white potatoes, rice, sweets, cakes and biscuits.

REJUVENATE BREAKFAST: Try bacon and eggs or a full-fat yoghurt with fruit for breakfast.

Choose fruit which is low in sugar such as berries, apples and pears.

Bananas, grapes, mango and pine- apple are high in sugar.

STOP SNACKING: Fasting in between meals and overnight will help improve insulin resistance.

If you really need something, try almonds, a hard-boiled egg or a yoghurt.

MAIN MEALS: Add protein – eggs, fish, non-processed meats and cheese – to every meal to keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Load up on greens such as broccoli, ­courgettes and green beans, and include healthy fats from nuts, oily fish (salmon, mackerel etc) and olive oil.

THINK DRINKS: Drink water, tea or coffee and don’t add too much milk. Avoid sugary fruit juice and fizzy drinks.

If you drink alcohol, cider and beer are high in sugar. Dry white wine and red wine are not as sugary, but only drink in moderation.

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EXPECT SETBACKS: Don’t beat yourself up if you fall off the wagon – it happens. Learn from your mistakes. If at the party, could you take your own low-carb treat so you don’t eat a whole slice of chocolate birthday cake?

GET ACTIVE: Being physically active is good for fighting diabetes. This includes traditional exercise such as swimming or football, but also using the stairs instead of the lift can make a huge difference.