Let's get deep... Settle in for a fascinating conversation about diabetes. We end the second season with a fascinating discussion - Dr. Sundeep Ruder, endocrinologist and philosopher, speaks to us about taking a broader view of diabetes. What could the condition possibly be offering us in terms of life lessons, and how do we ensure we learn them? This is a fascinating conversation about philosophy, the meaning of life, how to manage diabetes and how to fulfil life goals. Turiya Endocrinology: Dr...
Jun 21, 2022•28 min0
Let's take a deep breath and talk about it - this is a hard one. We know that depression and anxiety are far more prevalent in people with diabetes, but does this extend to eating disorders too? We speak to intuitive eating counsellor Gayle Landau about her experiences with diabetes and eating disorders - why they are so common, how to spot the warning signs, and what to do to help someone with diabetes who is struggling with an eating disorder. We also hear from Elre Clarence, who is living wit...
Jun 14, 2022•38 min0
Here's everything you need to know about heart health and diabetes. There are a number of long-term complications of uncontrolled diabetes, among them heart disease. But is cardiovascular (heart) health something that everyone with diabetes needs to be aware of? We ask Dr. Zane Stevens to discuss diabetes and cardiovascular health, and suggest if there are any primary preventative measures to take. I asked all the questions about heart health (in plain English) to one of South Africa's top diabe...
Jun 07, 2022•19 min0
Let's have an awkward conversation about diabetes stigma... It's so real. Type 2 diabetes carries a stigma in South Africa - particularly because it has been portrayed as a ‘lifestyle disease’. What is it like to be diagnosed with a condition that some people believe you gave yourself by eating the wrong food and not exercising enough? We speak to health coach Helga Nefdt about her Type 2 diagnosis and how she deals with diabetes stigma. We also speak to Type 1 diabetes advocate Thapi Semenya ab...
May 31, 2022•22 min0
We need to look at what the future looks like if we don't do anything. With 85% of South Africans accessing healthcare in the public sector, half of all people with diabetes undiagnosed and 2 in 3 South Africans on track to develop diabetes (in the prediabetes range), we should all be talking about diabetes. Add in the fact that it’s the leading killer of women in SA, and it should be front page news! And yet, it isn’t. We speak to Shivani Ranchod, a health actuary with a deep commitment to Sout...
May 24, 2022•23 min0
Ultra-rapid acting insulin is coming to South Africa! Hallelujah. Many South Africans with Type 1 diabetes were told to inject as they sat down to eat. Once they saw the blood sugar spikes on CGM / flash glucose devices, the advice changed to injecting 15-30 minutes before you eat. But that depends on the individual, the time of day, what’s being eaten and a number of other factors. Does insulin timing really make a difference, and are there any ways to make this less of a frustrating issue? We ...
May 17, 2022•24 min0
Let's dive in: do we need to be sensitive about diabetes and language? There’s a growing movement toward changing the language of diabetes so that it can be more empowering for people living with diabetes. It’s time to move away from calling diabetes a disease, people with diabetes patients and those living with diabetes diabetics. But why is it so important? We ask Australian diabetes advocate and language champion Renza Scibilia to talk us through it. As a person with diabetes, you can call yo...
May 17, 2022•33 min0
Let's talk about diabetes and mental health - we all need to! It’s a reality for many people living with diabetes, but what exactly is diabetes burnout, and how can you move through it? Just as importantly, how can you support someone you love who is feeling burnt out… What should you say, what shouldn’t you say? We speak to Type 1 diabetes psychologist Daniel Sher for some expert input. Diabetes and mental health is something we should all be talking about more - diabetes burnout is a natural e...
May 17, 2022•32 min0
Do you have questions about living with diabetes in South Africa? You’re in very good company! Turns out, we all do. Welcome to South Africans with Diabetes. I’m Bridget McNulty, and in this podcast we’re going to be answering your questions to help you live a healthy, happy life with diabetes. This is our second season, and I really wanted to focus on the awkward, difficult conversations when it comes to diabetes. The ones we should be having, but aren’t really… So I asked some really smart peo...
Apr 30, 2022•1 min0
Looking for advice on managing weight with diabetes? We’ve got it all - practical tips on how to lose, or gain, weight from SA’s top experts. Two of the most common questions we get on our Diabetic South Africans community are about weight - how do I lose weight in a healthy way, or how do I gain weight in a healthy way? Diabetes and weight are so closely linked, and we’ve gathered some of the best tips around to shed some light on how to manage your weight. We’ve got 5 weight loss tips from a d...
May 06, 2021•13 min0
We all know we should be more active… But how do you exercise with diabetes? That’s what we’re unpacking today. No matter what your excuse for not exercising regularly, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking for 20 minute exercise, how to exercise at work, ways to have fun with exercise or how to exercise safely with diabetes - we have the answer. We also explain why it’s so important for people with diabetes to exercise, and some necessary precautions to keep in mind. This is the one pod...
Apr 29, 2021•13 min0
It’s the one question everyone living with diabetes has: what can I eat now? We outline the 4 golden rules for a healthy diabetes diet. There are so many suggestions for the best ever diabetic diet. We don’t have any more to add to that list! What we have are 4 golden rules for diabetes that everyone agrees on - and a bunch of practical healthy eating tips. Listen in for all the advice you need to decide what to put on your plate today, and tomorrow, and forever - that’s the goal with diabetes, ...
Apr 22, 2021•11 min0
Two super-helpful tips for people with Type 2 diabetes, and two super-helpful tips for people with Type 1. These are game changers! We know that a podcast about diabetes medication might not sound too exciting, but this one is! Because we’ve asked SA’s top diabetes experts what they wish people with diabetes knew, and shared their most helpful tips here. Two tips for Type 2 diabetics, two tips for Type 1s - all of them with the potential to change your life by making your diabetes management muc...
Apr 15, 2021•12 min0
The short answer: yes! We unpack why diabetes and depression is so common, and what to do about it. Whether you’re feeling symptoms of diabetes distress or diabetes burnout, or you suspect you might be struggling with depression, we’re here for you. Here are the symptoms to look out for, and what to do about them. Diabetes and depression is really common, and it’s important for us to understand what the signs are so that we can be prepared, and supported. In this episode, we take a closer look a...
Apr 08, 2021•13 min0
If you’ve just been diagnosed with diabetes, you’re probably feeling realllly overwhelmed right now. We know, we’ve been there! Here’s only the most important information you need. Being diagnosed with diabetes is probably one of the most overwhelming experiences in life. All of a sudden there are so many rules! What you can and can’t eat, when you need to inject or take medication, how and when to test blood sugar… it’s exhausting. We break it down into 3 simple steps: understanding what diabet...
Apr 01, 2021•15 min0
How to find the magic range for normal blood sugar - not too low, not too high. What is normal blood sugar, and how do I get it? That’s the question we get asked all the time on Sweet Life. In this episode, we unpack what magic range we should be aiming for (4 to 7mmol/l), as well as the symptoms of low blood sugar, and high blood sugar. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be diabetic, here’s the explanation! We also take a look at how to keep blood sugar within the magic range. Spoile...
Mar 25, 2021•10 min0
All the latest, expert information about COVID-19 and diabetes in South Africa. Nothing else. If you’re feeling COVID fatigue, you’re not alone. But if you’re living with diabetes, it’s important to be informed when it comes to COVID-19 and diabetes: from how it affects diabetics to how to reduce your risk, and what you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine in South Africa. We spoke to the experts and got all the latest medical information that diabetics need to know about COVID-19, then trans...
Mar 25, 2021•13 min0
There is actually a recipe for reversing Type 2 diabetes. Here it is. A few years ago, the idea of reversing Type 2 diabetes was crazy - now, it’s achievable, if you follow this simple recipe. Simple doesn’t mean easy, though. We break down the essentials of how to reverse Type 2 diabetes - Eat healthy food, Exercise, a little every day, Lose weight if you need to - so that you can get started today. One step at a time. We also explain the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, what the ...
Mar 25, 2021•12 min0
Probably the most important question you’ll ask about living with diabetes. Here’s a simple answer. We know that managing diabetes can feel totally overwhelming. That’s why we asked SA’s top experts to make it simple for us. And they did! All you need to know is TEEL. Take your medication Eat healthy food Exercise, a little each day, Lose weight, if you need to. Easy, right? Well… No. These might be the four golden rules of diabetes management, but they’re also some of the hardest lifestyle chan...
Mar 25, 2021•14 min0
Do you have questions about living with diabetes in South Africa? Join the club! Bridget McNulty will be answering your questions to help you live a healthy, happy life with diabetes. This podcast is brought to you by Abbott FreeStyle Libre. Abbott FreeStyle Libre CGM · Sweet Life Diabetic South Africans Website · Connect with Sweet Life on LinkedIn · Follow Diabetic South Africans on Facebook · Twitter · Instagram · Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard...
Mar 01, 2021•39 sec0
