ŽIGA’S BLOG

My Wrong Beliefs About LCHF That I Had (And Why They Were Wrong)

When I first heard about LCHF nutrition (Low Carb, High Fat), my initial reaction was classic: “This isn’t for me, especially not as a diabetic.” It seemed dangerous, extreme, and above all — irresponsible.

Today, several years later, I have the most stable blood sugar I’ve ever had, more energy, fewer mood swings, and finally the feeling that I have some control over my body again.

But before I got here, I first had to break down some deeply rooted beliefs — which turned out to be wrong. In this blog, I’m sharing them; maybe it will help someone else too.

Belief 1: “Fats are dangerous – especially for diabetics”

I had heard this my whole life. Butter? No. Cream? Poison. Eggs? Only the whites. For years, I ate “diet” food: no fat, lots of fruit, and whole grains. And yet, my blood sugar was high, I was hungry every two hours, and I felt terrible.

When I switched to LCHF, I was afraid of the amount of fat. But for the first time in years, my body felt full, satisfied, and calm. Blood sugar? Instead of waves – a straight line.

Today I eat butter, nuts, avocado, and olive oil — and my glucose meter is happy.

Belief 2: “I really can’t live without bread and pasta”

This one was almost emotional for me. Bread was my foundation. When I imagined a day without bread, I thought: “What even remains?”

But I tried it. I replaced bread with eggs, vegetables, cheese, nuts, steaks, soups, and salads. And what surprised me: I didn’t miss anything. Not even after the first week. No hunger, no blood sugar crashes, no cravings.

Now I know: bread was a habit. Not a necessity.

Belief 3: “LCHF is an extreme diet”

It’s true — LCHF isn’t a diet that’s pushed at every turn. But when I looked deeper, I found that it has a medical basis, research support, and logic that actually benefits diabetics: fewer carbs = fewer glucose swings.

What could be more natural for a diabetic than that?

LCHF isn’t extreme. It’s a return to stability.

Belief 4: “This is just another fad”

When I started, I thought it would be another “experiment” I’d abandon after two weeks.

But it wasn’t. LCHF didn’t become a “diet.” It became a new way of thinking about food. Food no longer controls me. I don’t think every three hours about what to eat. I no longer need “just a little something.”

I realized it’s not a fad. It’s a strategy.

Today…

• I have stable blood sugar (with much less insulin)
• I eat 2–3 meals a day without hunger
• I no longer experience afternoon fatigue
• And for the first time in a long while, I trust my body

If you’re also a person with diabetes who doubts…

…here’s what I’ll say: allow yourself to try. LCHF doesn’t mean you’ll never eat cake or bread again. But it does mean you decide when you’ll have them — not your sugar cravings.

 About the Author:

Žiga Papež is an ultra-endurance athlete and a type 1 diabetic. He is the founder of Slovenia’s largest diabetes platform, Sladek Lajf, through which he raises awareness about diabetes, healthy eating, and a high-quality lifestyle. At the same time, he actively fights against excessive sugar consumption and obesity.

Through educational content and personal experiences, he helps people understand how food affects the body, how to manage blood sugar, and how the right approach can improve overall well-being and physical fitness. His goal is to show that with knowledge and smart choices, we can overcome limitations and live a healthy, active, and more fulfilling life.