by Lisa La Nasa, founder of diaVerge.com and diabetesredesigned.com

The world of diabetes management sucks.

• We’re taught that diabetic complications are inevitable and we should just do the best we can.

• We’re frequently shamed by our Endocrinologists and Diabetes Educators for not being able to achieve better blood sugar control — but we’re not given the right tools to be able to do so.

• Diabetic groups argue, shame, and block members who don’t manage diabetes the way they do.

We’re caught in a vicious cycle of blame, distrust, and hopelessness.

I struggled for 13 years after my T1D diagnosis, and it’s because of this struggle that diaVerge was born in 2015.

The diaVerge Manifesto is a strong position statement for this brand — but this is not just about a brand. Diabetes is personal, and I want you to know that diaVerge has been created to align with my very strongly-held personal values and beliefs.

I don’t want anyone else to go through what I did.

What I believe for all of us:

1. There’s no nobility in suffering

   Suffering is NOT a strategy to success.

2. We’re all worthy and capable of improved blood sugar levels

   We’re just not normally taught how to do this by our doctors and diabetes educators. Unfortunately, we have to find it ourselves.

3. We deserve to know that low carb is an option for for improved diabetes management

   This is true for ALL types of diabetes, including T1, T2, Gestational and Pre-diabetic.

4. Managing what we eat allows more freedom in other parts of our lives

   This includes less worry about lows (hypoglycemia), fewer blood sugar corrections, safer insulin doses, freedom to exercise whenever we want, and ideally, fewer long-term complications.

5. No one should feel isolated and alone with diabetes.

   Low carb or not, T1 or T2, we’re more alike than different and we’re all in this together. We must support one another.

6. No one should be shamed, blamed or meant to feel inadequate or less-than because of diabetes mis-education. It’s not your fault, but now is the time that you can take action.

7. We all have the power to take our health - and diabetes education - into our own hands

What I stand AGAINST:

1. The notion that diabetes is a progressive disease.

   It doesn’t have to be that way.

2. That an A1c of 7% is normal and acceptable.

   7% is dramatically higher than any non-diabetic. Why should this be our standard when we know that elevated blood sugar levels cause long-term diabetic complications? We’re achieving safe A1cs in the upper 4% range to lower 5% range, with minimal hypoglycemia. That should be the goal for everyone with diabetes.

3. The notion that carbohydrates are required for life

   If that were true, every member of the low carb/keto communities would have been dead a long time ago.

4. That following a low carb way of eating is too hard or unsustainable.

   There are hundreds, if not thousands of people eating a sustainable low carb, high protein diet for diabetes management and they’ve been doing so for years.

   diaVerge Coach Educator, Allison Herschede, RN, CDCES has been low carb since 2011, I’ve been since 2015, and Dr. Richard K. Bernstein MD since the 1970s. If we can do it, so can you.

5. That you can’t achieve normal, non-diabetic blood sugar levels because…

   — you’re too busy, you have another preexisting condition, you’re a brittle diabetic, you’re on a low or fixed income, you have gastroparesis, you’re vegetarian… (fill in the blank) —

   We’ve heard all of these and we’ve coached people through it all. Low carb foods do not have to be more expensive, and changing how people eat, they can often improve their health, and dramatically reduce the need for insulin and other medications.

We all make excuses at times. The trick is to recognize when our excuses are holding us back from the life we want to lead.

What I believe personally impacts Everything I do - and every aspect of diaVerge:

1. I believe in leading with love, compassion, and authenticity, and creating safe, inclusive spaces.

2. I believe in keeping my head up, eyes forward, and focused on my own work.

3. I believe in meeting people where they’re at, because one-size does not fit all.

4. I believe that trust and personal connections are far more important than clickbait titles and controversial posts.

5. I believe in creating valuable products and programs accessible to all, and generously supporting the greater diabetes community:

   • Free blog articles and social media posts

   • Low cost membership group and online courses

   • Private coaching that is NOT thousands of dollars per month

   • Frequent thank-you gifts and bonuses for diaVerge students and clients

   • Donating 10% of our gross income each year in program scholarships and discounts for those who need it most.

6. I believe that we’re stronger together and when one person can find a way out of the darkness, it’s our responsibility to help lift others

   (and now I’m crying…)

7. And with tears in my eyes, I believe emotions are inherently good and we need to give ourselves permission to truly FEEL the heaviness of diabetes management - and be open to options that can help us.

We invite you to learn more about diabetes management on the diaVerge blog.

If you’re just getting started, check out our Real Life Low Carb intro course.

If you’re looking for looking for personalized accountability, problem-solving and a guided jumpstart to incredible diabetes management, 1-to-1 Diabetes Education & Coaching may be for you.

If you want the best of the best, Diabetes Redesigned lifetime membership community is the most comprehensive program we offer, and includes guided, in-depth diabetes education, compassionate group connections, personalized problem-solving strategies, and lifetime support.