When I got diagnosed with diabetes about a month ago I was under the (highly erroneous) notion that all I needed to do to fix my problem was cut out all sugar from my diet. It turns out that solution was way too simple (albeit in a horrible, not-worth-living sort of way).
I've since learned that sugar and diabetes do not exist ever-fixed in a causal relationship and so I can now stop blaming my sweet tooth for my current state. Diabetes is connected to genes, obesity, and/or lack of exercise, it appears. Where sugar comes into the picture is that it's a simple form of carbohydrate -- which causes blood glucose to spike up high and fast and then crash way, way down. If we keep doing this, if we keep it hurtling up and down as if it were on an endless rollercoaster ride then it takes revenge on us sooner or later. Wouldn't you do the same thing -- want to kill the guy with his finger on the power button -- if you were constantly dizzy and nauseous, after all?
What I'm saying here is that basically I knew nothing before yesterday, before I attended my second diabetes management class. For instance, I learned that not all sugar-free products are good for diabetics and that if I MUST indulge in ice cream, a high-fat variety would probably be better for me than a low-fat kind (although it's supposed to be reserved only as a rare treat. Rare being a highly subjective term for me, unfortunately).
I was also given a meal plan, a blueprint of how many servings (apparently dieticians like to use the strange term "exchanges") of protein, starches, fat, fruit, and vegetables, etc. I'm allowed to consume in a day. Great. Now I have to be a mathematician in order to eat, too (God forbid I hear anyone argue that no one needs math in order to be an actor or rock star, for instance. Most of these camera-ready folks are expected to be thin and thus need to follow a stringent diet, which requires advanced math skills apparently).
So now I'm one of these obsessive-compulsive folks in the grocery store who spend half an hour in each aisle reading all the labels on every single freakin' package (Okay, 35 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Not good. But six grams of dietary fiber. Very good. And I can subtract six from 35 which then gives me 29 grams of carbs. Now is that bad or good? Grrrr.). And I'm especially not looking forward to eating out at a restaurant, where I'll need to break apart each dish and try to figure out everything on my own; I mean, just how do I figure out a dish like kare-kare?
I'm highly tempted to sign up for this Zone diet home delivery service, just so I don't have to analyze each ingredient of every morsel I put into my mouth, though I suppose eating without thinking was part of what got me here in the first place (well, not so much as my parents' defective genes, of course). Or I could be like my neighbor Jay, who limits his food intake to no more than three tablespoons of brown rice and a few bite-sized pieces of meat per meal. That is, if he eats rice and meat at all.
I know I'll get the hang of this someday; I suppose like surgeons rely on their "muscle memory" I'll be able to put together a simple meal without charts, a pencil, and a calculator. In the meantime I'll have to remember that a 3 oz. portion of meat is the size of my palm (why oh why did my hand have to be so disproportionately small compared to the rest of my body?) and the thickness of a finger, and learn to use all the other visual tricks I was just taught.
Still, sometimes I wonder if what I learn today will only be replaced by new information tomorrow and I'll have to learn how to eat all over again. After all, what we know about food and healthful eating changes every decade it seems. Not too long ago we were taught to cut out all fat, until we learned there was good and bad fat but just no good carbs. And now it appears we need to add some carbohydrates back into our diets for balance.
I'm considering just sitting it out until someone figures out that bitter vegetables are bad for us and that white flour is good. Who knows, it probably won't be too long until that happens? We've just learned, after all, that (dark) chocolate is actually good for the body. The future is starting to look promising, I suppose; until then I think I just might have to take a basic accounting class to help me figure out how to balance my food groups. Or at least it might help me finally balance my checkbook -- which is another dilemma to discuss altogether.
I believed about the genes thing. While diabetes is such a "dramatic" disease as people would think, we see that sugar is the serial killer.
Nowadays, when we started to grow older (I hate to say that), we provide ourselves on a right food. And you're right, when we are diabetic, we have to watch our diet. But none of us wants to watch out what we consume each and every time, but this can be avoided if we follow what we know about eating whole and balanced meals.
However, I don't know how to differentiate food between a good coffee and a cigarette butts.
Thanks for sharing. Pengeng CHOKOLATEH pls? ;)
Posted by: KnOizKi | April 07, 2006 at 08:31 AM
PS. Sorry Ms Gigi, I think you need to revamp again my new link posted above this comment. Gazillion thanks!
Posted by: KnOizKi | April 07, 2006 at 09:02 AM
I know it's hard to do this in America with all their products out to get you but my thinking is, if you have to keep looking at labels, then that means they're processed, right? ANd I believe natural food is the best way to go - I know it sounds boring but just pick up any Mooswood cookbook (for example) and you'll know it's not boring to eat healthy. There are many ways of eating grains, nuts, fruit and veg. People keep thinking their lives will consist of steamed veg and boiled chicken. There's a whole world of good healthy eating out there.
Posted by: frayed | April 07, 2006 at 06:39 PM
sorry, that's Moosewood.
Posted by: frayed | April 07, 2006 at 06:40 PM
HI KnOizki - I changed your link, thanks for letting me know! Boy, you're a hard fellow to keep up with...I feel like I have to keep looking for you (but you're worth it naman, siyempre!). :)
Hello Frayed - I've heard of the Moosewood Cookbook (and restaurant)...only positive things. Their website also lists recipes: http://www.moosewoodrestaurant.com/recipes.html. You're absolutely right...I really need to make more of a transition into fresh organic food. We're trying, although it's easy to fall back into bad habits when we come home tired after work, etc. But the key is to keep trying. :)
Posted by: Gigi | April 08, 2006 at 02:02 AM
I hate to say I told you so but didn't I tell Sugar-free is not necessarily good? Can you ask your diabetes instructor if he heard of the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet? Does he agree with the thinking that you should take carbo only once a day within an hour so that your insulin level spikes only once a day, thereby controlling insulin resistance? BTW, I think you should be ready, there is a big possibility that when you lose weight, exercise, and control your blood sugar, it's easier to get pregnant. Be warned.
Posted by: Rosanna | April 09, 2006 at 03:41 AM
Your supposed difficulty with math is truly heartening. There must be some weakness to balance off such a great gift for writing!
I understand that part of a diabetic's diet is shifting to food with more fiber. A German lady, Rose Marie, who Pinky and I met last week, who majored in nutrition, explained that fiber "keeps the body busy", keeps body metabolism high, which somehow moderates the need for insulin (I think - am not an expert, obviously).
The wonderful part of our meeting Rose Marie was when we discovered that she makes her own bread, complete with grinder for the grains - that time, she had just baked sourdough, complete with fennel and anise seeds. Sourdough is, of course, not something you can easily find in the Philippines. Pinky and I enjoyed the bread a lot, from the crunchy crust, to the soft, dark, seed laden inside.
What I am trying to say is that you can really consider your shift to organic food, fiber-rich food, and fresh produce as a true adventure. Think of all the special bread-and surely you have a wide range to choose from-that you can start seeking and enjoying. All the colorful fresh salads ( I enjoy the mix of red and green lettuce, with the whites and yellows of, say curly endives). Etc etc.
Enjoy the adventure ... in spite of the math.
Posted by: Gej | April 10, 2006 at 03:43 PM
HI Rosanna - The nutritionist didn't mention that strategy -- she definitely mentioned controlling carbs and increasing fiber, but spread through all daily meals, not just once a day. I'm really curious about the book -- I may just have to borrow it when I go home again (possibly in June, depending on news concerning dad). And thanks for the "warning," but I just heard the H-word uttered by my doctor today (another medical story) so I don't think little ones are in my future, even once I get my blood sugar under control. :(
Hello Gejo - Although I'm supposed to watch bread intake, I'm allowed to eat it as long as it contains lots of fiber nga. Ang sarap ng mga description mo naman -- pati yung salad!!! Do you grow that in your herb farm as well? BTW I don't know if you have a bread maker, but if you do I can bring you a box or two of sourdough bread mix next time I come home. Just let me know!!!
Posted by: Gigi | April 10, 2006 at 06:55 PM
it does take a lot of getting used to. especially for me becaue i have both diabetes and high blood pressure. that means less salt as well as less carbs. our meals have indeed radically changed.
lately i've been having recurring dreams of eating adobo or sinigang with a lot of white race like i used to. very similar to when i quit smoking - i used to dream of cigarettes all the time.
i am getting used to the way i eat now. we still eat almost all the food we used to eat a lot of. but now we do it slowly and with smaller portions.
Posted by: BatJay, Ang Dating Folk Singer ng Ma Mon Luk | April 11, 2006 at 04:00 PM
Hi KB Batjay - I noticed recently that my husband's pants were hanging loose on him. Sabi ko, "wow honey, pumapayat ka ata!" He said, "Eh di ko akala na sama pala ako sa diabetes diet mo!"
Bilib talaga ako sa dedication mo. Ako, slowly but surely pa rin (more slowly than surely lang). But I keep thinking of how far you've come whenever I feel like slacking off...and then I get my a** to the gym. :)
Posted by: Gigi | April 11, 2006 at 06:01 PM
Hey Gigi, My mom is type-2 and I worry about what she eats all the time. I know that you find a good way to eat all the yummy foods and still be within your diet criteria.
Now is also a good excuse to exercise....and exercise can take on a lot of creative forms (^o^) -g
Posted by: Gary | April 14, 2006 at 10:44 AM
my wife was diagnosed with diabetes 2 years ago. the adjustment was tough, but after a while she got used to the restrictions and she is much healthier for it.
hey i hope you are doing fine! :)
Posted by: mell ditangco | April 27, 2006 at 02:45 PM
HI Gary - That's what the hubby says ALL the time!!! :)
Hello Mell - It's tougher than I thought...especially when I'm tired after I come home from work and don't feel like putting together a salad or depriving myself of something I'm craving for. But I know slow and steady will win this war. Thank you for your good wishes and I'm so glad your wife is doing great -- I always love to hear those kinds of success stories.
Posted by: Gigi | April 27, 2006 at 07:49 PM
well gigi, like you; its an on-going struggle for my wife too.
we were just talking about it over dinner. sometimes, with the hectic schedule just like what you described, its tough to prepare the right kind of meal.
there might be times that you lose the battle, but you'll have to get up and win the next one.
:) i know you can do it! :D
Posted by: mell ditangco | April 27, 2006 at 11:56 PM
Thanks Mell! I really needed that (seriously!). :)
Posted by: Gigi | May 02, 2006 at 12:31 AM