Saturday, November 10, 2007

Eating to Lower Blood Sugar

Was creating diabetes a sure bet for me?

I remember a few years ago when I was 206 pounds. I cannot believe I let my average sized frame hold 206 pounds. But anyway, my clothes were tight and I was tired on a regular basis. Little did I know at the time that I was inviting diabetes into my life? Even though I was working out I was not eating in a way that shaped a healthy me. I think as I look back I was inviting the diabetes disease into my life.

Here is some convoluted logic.

As long as I was taking care of one area of my life I was in good shape. At least that is how I thought. Hey I exercised. So what that I ate the worst foods at one or two in the morning as I watched Sports Center or a movie. I reasoned it out that as long as I exercised my eating could take on a life of its own. And it did. I had no problem devouring a huge bowl of ice cream in the wee small hours of the night. Cookies or potato chips were high up on my list of foods to accompany me as I relaxed.

If I did not have type 2 diabetes it is quite possible that my diet and portion sizes of food would be the same today as when I was a teenager. When I was in my mid 30's I had a job that required me to meet the owner of the company at a Spanish restaurant in Newark New Jersey every Monday night to discuss business. Don, the President of the company, called me Godzilla because of the way I devoured food at these meetings. I thought that it was cool that he called me Godzilla.

I guess food was like a tournament game for me. Could I eat all the food that was on my plate? This was the prize.

The hard part about diabetes for me.


What now?

My lifestyle has changed. Food which was once of no concern to me is now an ongoing conscious decision for me. I am much more aware of the foods I eat before and while I am consuming them. I am a big boy and dealing with diabetes is my new challenge.

So learning to eat that supports me is what I am doing now. If I was eating healthier before I got the diabetes I may not have the diabetes disease now. So instead of being reactive and waiting to get the diabetes disease, eating better now would make sense to avoid the diabetes disease and other ailments as well.

Diabetes treatments are an ongoing learning experience. I have learned form The Diabetic Warrior about foods. You can as well. Get his free MP3.

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