Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get a very stubborn man who has been diagnosed with diabetes to consider a low carb eating plan? My son-in-law is in his early 40s and probably weighs about 400 lbs. He's also quite tall. He has switched from sugar to Splenda, and drinks only diet sodas. but he has the mind set that all he as to do is stay away from sugar. He says he can't do without bread, etc. His mother is a diabetic, and hers is getting worse. She stays away from sugar and caffeine, but pretty much eats whatever she wants, and her diabetes is getting worse. She is not very heavy.

So, any suggestions? He knows how much better I feel doing lc. Have any of you had success in convincing a loved one to change his eating habits?

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Nita

Ahh, Nita. I don't think you have a prayer.

In my experience (and that includes me) people make different choices when they're finally sick of what their current choices are doing to them. I don't think there's much you can do but be a good example for when/if your SIL decides to try something different.

If you push too hard, it will only make him resent your interference. Just MHO.

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Yeah, Nita....when you find that answer, please let me know. DH is tall, too: 6'5" and just around 300.....and his doc says he is just months away from diabetes. He gets too frustrated. He doesn't WANT to change, but he knows he needs to. Maggie's right, they'll only do it when they're ready, and pushing will have an opposite effect. :(

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Thanks, ladies. You are right, of course. I know I can't change his way of thinking, especially as hard-headed as he is. I'm just really concerned because they have a very dependent special needs son, and if anything happens to his dad, my daughter would have a really hard time raising him herself. I may just have to buy some books to keep around that have good solid info, so when he's here and needs something to read in the "little boys' room", he can read those. Thanks again for your comments.

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Nita

nita-i think having the books accessible is a great idea! also, seeing your success helps. and make sure you feed him plenty of great-tasting lc stuff so he learns he won't be missing anything when he tries it out.

and how about your dd? if she's interested and starts eating and cooking lc, he might start getting some of the benefits by default. she could even kind of "sneak it in" a little, and he may gradually come around. just a thought, anyway.

with my immediate family, the changes in the food around here helped, but ultimately, they decided to start eating lc because of the changes they saw it me. it took awhile, and of course your milage may vary. but like the olther folks said, if somebody had tried to push me before i was ready, they wouldn't have gotten any further than a few choice words from me.

good luck! hope he decides to make some healthy changes soon.

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