234: The Truth About Keto, Reversing Diabetes and Going Vegan with Dr. Neal Barnard

Food Heals

Can you reverse diabetes? Conventional science says no. Our favorite plant-based doctor says YES. And this is backed up by science.

Dr. Neal Barnard grew up on a ranch in North Dakota, cattle county. He wanted to be a psychiatrist. But while working as an autopsy assistant, he made the connection between meat and a dead animal. The seed was planted. As time went on, he began thinking about veganism from the standpoint of both health and animal welfare. Dr. Barnard believes compassion should be the foundation of medicine - this means medical research has to be ethical. So if a disease is related to food, like diabetes, we need to do more than simply throw pharmaceuticals at it and hope for the best. That’s why he set up the Physicians’ Committee for Responsible Medicine, a group that promotes preventative medicine through a plant-based diet.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes happens when your body’s cells are no longer able to absorb sugar and use it for energy. This happens if you eat too many fatty foods. Fat gets into the cells and stops them working property. The solution? Well, it isn’t the standard diabetes diet - low-calorie, low-carb. The best diet for reversing diabetes is a vegan diet, with minimum oils and an abundance of low-glycemic foods.

Why not just avoid carbs?

Many people think that to control your blood sugar you simply need to avoid carbs. But the problem with that theory is that around half of what we eat contains carbs - including a lot of good stuff, like sweet potatoes, beans, wholegrains. Sure, your blood sugar levels will drop and you will lose weight on a low-carb diet… because you’re semi-starving. It is not sustainable long-term. Then add extra eggs and meat, and the result is more cholesterol and a higher risk of early death. Keto may be on trend, but it won’t do your health much good.

Dr. Barnard isn’t just a plant-based nutrition expert. He’s also a TV host and best-selling author, with over 70 scientific papers and 18 books published. His latest one, The Vegan Starter-Kit is a super-short book packed with tips for transitioning to a vegan diet and reversing diabetes. It makes the perfect gift for anyone looking to go plant-based - give your loved ones the gift of health! It’s out on December 24th, and you can pre-order it on Amazon now.

Dr. Barnard’s best plant-based tips for the holidays:

• Choose a restaurant with great plant-based options, like Italian, Thai and Japanese.
• Make a healthy dish and bring it to the party (or just make a vegan cheeseboard if you don’t fancy cooking)
• Don’t arrive at the party hungry - have a little something to eat beforehand

Being hailed as “Sex and the City for Food,” The Food Heals Podcast brings together experts in the field of nutrition, health and healing to teach you the best-kept natural secrets to being a hotter, healthier, happier YOU!

The Food Heals Podcast is hosted by Allison Melody and Suzy Hardy – two self-proclaimed natural chicks who will rock your world and change your beliefs about health! This sexy, savvy duo provides eco-friendly advice on a variety of issues including the healing power of nutrition, living authentically, turning your passion into your career, choosing the best natural health and beauty products, the benefits of a plant-based diet and so much more!