World Diabetes Day it’s more than a date on the calendar—it’s a call to fix what’s broken in diabetes care. In a separate live chat, Jane Bullen (CEO, Nutrition Network) sat down together Dr. Neville Wellington (Physician, Diabetes Director, and longtime metabolic clinician) to uncover the reality behind the ever-increasing diabetes curve—and what really reverses it.
“We’re going to change the world of diabetes one meal at a time, literally.” — Dr. Neville Wellington
The family disease we can stop
Diabetes is increasingly a multi-generational problem. It occurs in grandparents, great-grandparents, parents, and now their children—often within the same household.
“It’s a multi-generational family disease … the numbers are staggering.” — Jane Bullen
South Africa reflects global trends: estimates show ~15% of the adult population is living with diabetes, with many more undiagnosed. Clinics relentlessly see new cases every month. Clinicians can barely keep up.
The takeaway? Treatment symptoms it will not slow this curve. Correction of metabolism will.
Diabetes is metabolic – not just ‘high blood sugar’
“When they say ‘sugar diabetes,’ that’s what it really is.” — Dr. Wellington
Dr. Wellington puts it plainly: chronic excessive intake of carbohydrates (which becomes glucose) drives insulin up, fills the liver and fat cells, and eventually overwhelms the system. For years, the pancreas covers up the damage by pumping out insulin to force glucose out of the bloodstream. When this compensation fails, blood sugar rises – and eventually the diagnosis occurs.
This is why “glucose management alone” misses the mark. The root cause is insulin resistancenot metformin deficiency.
What accelerates damage?
- Frequent spikes in glucose from foods and drinks high in carbohydrates
- Push guidelines designs ~60% of calories from carbs for people who already have glucose intolerance
- Lack of emphasis on food quality and meal schedulewhile focusing only on calories
From Management to Reversal
Reversal it is not wishful thinking. It is one clinical route with measurable results: improvement of postprandial glucose, drop in medication, normalization of metabolic indicators, increase in quality of life.
“Once patients see what captivates them and change these meals, the magic starts to happen.” — Dr. Wellington
What the turnaround looks like in practice
- Education first: explain what glucose does at the cellular level (inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial overload).
- Food exchange: transition from meals that raise glucose to protein, healthy fats and low glycemic index vegetables.
- Structured monitoring: use glucose data to prove what it works for this face.
The Superpower: Structured Monitoring
Dr Wellington’s ‘safety first’ monitoring approach evolved into an empowering tool.
“Essay before you eat too an hour once you start eating… most foods rise in about an hour.” — Dr. Wellington
Follow-up method (minimum viable plan):
- Glucose with finger pricks: before and ~ 60 minutes after meals
- Aim for before meal 4–6 mmol/L and after meal below 7.8 mmol/L
- Watch it increase: keep the spike from the meal to the top ≤1.7 mmol/L
- Even 10 post-meal checks/month can move HbA1c meaningfully because they lead to dietary behavior change
- CGM (continuous glucose monitors) are powerful where accessible—revealing spikes and trends in real time
Ketone monitoring can validate metabolic flexibility (nutritional ketosis often 1.5–3.0 mmol/L β-hydroxybutyrate). Blood measurements are more reliable than urine as the adjustment increases.
About GLP-1 drugs: Where they fit (and don’t)
GLP-1 receptor agonists started as diabetes drugs and moved on to treat obesity. These loss of appetite, slow gastric emptyingand for some, quiet “eating noise”. They too they compete with glucagonuseful in patients whose liver over-releases glucose.
Dr. Wellington’s view is nuanced:
- They can help— especially when the lifestyle is already in place and glycemia remains persistent.
- The risks seem moderate so far, but cost and recover after interruption are concerns.
- It is not a substitute for metabolic training or dietary change. If a person returns to the old diet after stopping, weight and glucose recovery.
“Maybe medication can help you change your lifestyle, but you have to maintain that lifestyle.” — Dr. Wellington
Addiction, behavior change and real life
Many people know what to do, but he can’t do it-yet. This is not failure. it is human. Dr. Wellington addresses more and more behavioral stimuli, stressand support systems.
- Name the pattern (mild): binge eating, stress foods, anger when asked to remove certain stimuli
- Build support: partner/family involvement. bring them to the consultation
- Refer when needed: counselors for anxiety/depression; recovery-informed frameworks for addictive eating patterns
- Hold the line with hope: some patients take months before it “clicks” — and then the change accelerates
“About 45-50%—once educated—just go and change.” — Dr. Wellington
Notebook: Start here (safely, tomorrow)
- Reframing the diagnosis
- Explain insulin resistance and damage from repeated glucose spikes.
- Replace the “advanced disease” messages with credible hope and measurable steps.
- Prescribe monitoring, not guesswork
- Glucose with finger pricks before the meal and 60 minutes after the start.
- Teach “≤1.7 mmol/L rising’ as a red/green light.
- Prefer after the meal checks fasting if films are limited.
- Exchange meals, not willpower
- Center protein and healthy fats; add non-starchy vegetables.
- Completely replace trigger foods (for many, “cutting down” fails).
- Describe purposefully
- As glucose normalizes, review medications systematically (eg, sulfonylureas first to avoid hypoglycemia).
- Keep safety front and center. data-driven adaptation.
- Create an ecosystem of support
- Lean teachers and health coaches— reinforce and sustain change between consultations.
- Family invitation. Metabolic health is a team sport.
- Use GLP-1s wisely
- Consider specific phenotypes (eg glucagon overload) or where lifestyle alone has not normalized glucose.
- Couple with robust Nutrition education; maintenance plan.
Patient essentials: The first 2 weeks
- Try smarter: check your glucose before and 60 minutes after your treatment bigger daily meal; find out what spikes you.
- Eat for solid lines: build meals around eggs, fish, meat, poultry, olive oil, butter, avocadoand leafy/non-starchy vegetables.
- Measuring sleep and stress: poor sleep and stress increase glucose—walk after meals, prioritize air, sunlight, and routine.
- Don’t do it alone: bring a partner/friend on board. consider a coach.
- Keep in touch with your doctor: medications may need to be adjusted quickly as your readings improve.
Stories that change trajectories
“Even after amputation, kidney disease and eye disease—he brought up his HbA1c 5.4% and it has held steady for years.” — Dr. Wellington
For many who feel trapped by “familial diabetes,” the message is simple: you can stop the slide. Even with complications, further damage is not inevitable. The lever is metabolic.
Train with us: Turn data into results
Nutrition Network exists to equip professionals and coaches with rigorous, practical metabolism tools.
For Trainees
Education to reverse diabetes
A deeper dive into the mechanisms, clinical protocols, description, case-based learning, and growing evidence base for carbohydrate restriction in diabetes care.
“The science is rigorous… the science of low carb is growing tremendously.” — Dr. Wellington
For everyone (patients and doctors)
Education of patients with diabetes
A step by step ‘101’ that covers carbohydrate counting, monitoring, drug safety, laboratory interpretation (HbA1c, lipids, inflammation, renal function) and how to apply a home metabolism program — safely and effectively.
Offer for World Diabetes Day:
From World Diabetes Day and for the rest of this monththe Diabetes Reversal Education is 50% off.and you will get free patient education when you sign up for the pro course.
Two training sessions. One price. Designed to change results—fast.
(Always let your doctor know, as the glucose improves, medications often need to be adjusted.)
Final Word
The future of diabetes care is not a bigger box of pills. Of better metabolism-taught clearly, followed intelligently, reinforced with guidance, and delivered with hope.
“Changing and reversing diabetes one meal at a time.” — Jane BullenAre you ready to help patients – and families – get out of the spiral? Start with data. Exchange meals. Build the team. And if you’re a clinician or coach, get educated so your next tip is the one that changes the curve.
