Diabetes: Taking Time To Get It Right
Part Three in Daniel's Diabetes Chronicle
Sometimes you just need someone to care. To be asked how it’s going and be heard, listened to, validated. Sometimes the answer requires action.
Such was the case with Daniel recently when I was there for a visit. At 72, having to repattern his lifestyle because his life literally depends on it is difficult, I’m sure. It is hard, frustrating, annoying and more. He had mentioned he’d gone a few consecutive times without getting a successful glucose reading. In frustration he’d given up.
It’s easy to brush something like that aside, as it requires sitting down and learning something new. And honestly, sometimes we would rather just now know or face the truth.
But before I left, I said let’s figure this out together. This is important.
I read the instructions step by step and then we found the error. He got a result of 129! The joy on his face was something to behold. He is not one to emote;...
Diabetes and Your Pantry
Part Two in Daniel's Diabetes Chronicle
You may remember me telling you about my friend who was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes….
Let’s meet Daniel quick. In a nutshell:
72 year old male. Overweight. Active, but not excessively athletic. Diet consisting mostly of processed foods and sugary sodas. Water? That’s what you wash your hands with, right?
I went to the local co-op and outfitted his kitchen pantry… Over the weekend, I spent a considerable amount of time with him going through his fridge and cupboard. … Let’s just say his cupboard looked nothing like mine. I have become an avid label reader and know what to look for hidden in plain view in the little tiny letters somewhere on the packaging.
This time, though, I was not looking for hidden gluten — I was looking for hidden sugars by many different names.
I found the back of his fridge and cupboards and literally filled up his trash bin for next week.
...A Dreaded Diagnosis: Diabetes
Part One in Daniel's Diabetes Chronicle
A very close individual in my life was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. I dropped everything and accompanied him to his two hour 1 on 1 education. One hour with an RN specializing in diabetes education and one hour (which was more like 40 minutes) with a dietician.
I agreed to ask questions and be a second set of ears. While I didn’t promise to not contradict what I disagreed with, I have to say I was proud of my ability to hold my tongue.
From a #CleanEating perspective, what they taught has much to be desired.
Choose margarine and canola oil over coconut oil and butter.
Nowhere in this dialogue was organic v conventional mentioned. (conventional butter is full of food coloring, not to mention growth hormones and other toxins)
Diet over regular soda was recommended (this patient has been guzzling soda by the case for decades…). There was one reference to drinking water — in 2 hours! No...