‘I Beat Type 2 Diabetes! Oh, and Lost 70 Pounds’

By Stephanie Goettge, PETA Foundation

I’m going to tell you how my life was saved because I want everyone to know and to be helped if they ever find themselves in the same boat. It wasn’t with just any old diet or taking pills, and it wasn’t even hard.

What happened is that over time, I kept gaining weight. I was just going along with it until my wake-up call came: the day I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

I thought I’d be on meds for the rest of my life. But it didn’t happen because within just three weeks of starting my new health regimen, my glucose levels dropped into a safe range. At my three-month checkup, I had moved from diabetic to prediabetic. And by six months, my doctor was floored: My A1C had plummeted from a dangerous 11% to a completely normal 5.2%. I’m no longer a diabetic!

The changes didn’t stop there. My energy soared. I lost 70 pounds without counting calories or going hungry. I took up running, starting with short walks and building up gradually. Now, I run 10K races, and my husband – who joined me on this journey – has transformed his health, too. Here’s all there is to it.

A Powerful ‘Prescription’

PETA’s videos had opened my eyes to the horrors of animal agriculture, and when I first gave up meat, years before I got that frightening diagnosis, it was for ethical reasons. I didn’t pay attention to health. I became what I used to call an “Oreo vegan,” loading up on anything animal-free without regard for how it affected my body, my arteries, my health.

“Making the switch was amazingly easy.”

This time, I learned about a PETA-sponsored health class based on the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine’s (PCRM) 21-Day Vegan Kickstart program. I knew I needed to make some changes, and this felt like a sign. I learned that type 2 diabetes isn’t just about sugar – it’s about fat. Animal-derived foods and oils of all kinds, even vegetable oils, clog our cells, preventing insulin from doing its job. I learned that whole-plant foods – fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains – work with our bodies to restore insulin sensitivity and balance blood sugar naturally. Dr. Neal Barnard, president of PCRM, says, “We now know that diabetes is not a one-way street: It can be improved and, for many people, reversed with a plant-based diet.”

“Not only is this the most delicious ‘prescription’ you can imagine, but it’s also easy to follow. Plus, all the ‘side effects’ are good ones.” — Dr. Neal Barnard

Making the switch was amazingly easy. Out went processed snacks, oily takeout, fried foods, and sugary indulgences. In came fruits, veggies, beans, leafy greens, and hearty grains. And they taste delicious! I still get to enjoy my favorite foods, including pastas, fruits, and potatoes, but now cooked in healthy, satisfying ways. I steam, bake, and boil and use a stainless steel pan that ends the need for any oil at all – I just use a splash of water or vegetable broth. It’s phenomenal. And when a recipe calls for oil, I substitute tofu, applesauce, or a smashed banana, depending on what it is. This works like a charm!

Eating for Life

Animal-derived foods – processed meats and dairy, particularly – are fueling the diabetes epidemic and so many other health problems that plague our society, including obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Meat, eggs, and milk are associated with insulin resistance, inflammation, and weight gain and have even been linked to several types of cancer, including breast cancer. Yet the meat and dairy industries mislead millions with self-serving guidelines that advertise these foods as healthy. What a crock. And I was seduced! Eating low-fat vegan has worked wonders for my health, but my health isn’t the only thing at stake. Cows, chickens, and other animals on factory farms endure short, miserable lives before workers send them to slaughter to be killed in violent ways. Each person who goes vegan spares nearly 200 animals every year. Considering that eating vegan can add years to your life, that’s a lot of animals!

Going low-fat vegan saved my life, and it can save yours, too. Give it a try. Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes is a great place to start for anyone ready to discover the healing power of plants. And there’s a cookbook, too: Dr. Neal Barnard’s Cookbook for Reversing Diabetes.