As a wife, mother and woman with diabetes I am always evaluating the most healthy mealtime options. I try to incorporate the mindset of moderation in everything.
However, as a type I diabetic, this is sometimes more difficult than at other times.
It is true that with modern medication, people with diabetes have more choices than ever when it comes to diet.
What is the best way to eat? For me it has changed over the years.
Often I catch myself so absorbed in the maintenance of my blood glucose levels (BG) that I only think of foods and therefore meals, in grams of carbohydrates, protein, fat and calories.
I can’t help it. It was how I was brought into the understanding of diabetes. Now, things are much more flexible and more exciting meals can be created and consumed regularly for people with diabetes.
What about the rest of the diet concerns of the general population however? Should diabetics strive for organic diets?
What about non-fat meals? What about strictly no- carb options? What about plant based diets or some vegetarian diets?
During various phases of my life, I have ridiculed some of these and then found myself having a more open mind as my lifestyle needs have changed. I personally have used different methods for different parts of my life and BG control.
I am now very interested in the impact of organic foods and plant-based diets. I am not sure that I could go completely non-animal protein, but I am curious as to how adding a great many more plant options, might improve my health and BG.
I have also learned that the medical studies change over time. There must be something to the dangers of chemical, pesticide and hormone added theories. I am just not completely sure of the extent.
I figure that as a diabetic and parent, if I still can use moderation in everything, then I can still try to incorporate a more plant-based diet for my life as well as for my family.
Hopefully eating more plant based instead of processed foods will help lower my overall blood glucose, cholesterol and general health.
Hopefully a more plant-based diet will encourage my child to eat more healthy options, as opposed to the highly processed snack foods and staples in many kitchens.
If nothing else, I hope to show my child that you can always try new approaches to diet and health. It seems we can all use some better health control, diabetes related or not.
By Marianne Tetlow “The Diabetes Coach”
The Diabetes Coach is a comprehensive resource and consulting group for individuals or families with a loved one dealing with diabetes. “Helping You To Move Forward While Managing the Ups and Downs”
www.diabeteslifestylecoach.com
Sources:
Beneficial role of dietary phytoestrogens in obesity and diabetes1,2 . The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Web May 21, 2012
http://www.ajcn.org/content/76/6/1191.short
Preparing to Prescribe Plant-Based Diets for Diabetes Prevention and Treatment. Diabetes Spectrum. Web May 21, 2012
http://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/25/1/38
Reviewed May 22, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith