At www.damndiabetes.ca, we take a slightly different approach. Is it the correct one? We think so. That is our opinion, and we are sticking to it; others may not agree ... let’s talk about that .... as the facts matter.
Our Approach
At www.damndiabetes.ca, we do not have a herd mentality. With any diabetes treatment, including weight loss, there are general conditions that may apply to the herd. But to have a positive and sure bet to diabetes treatment weight control, we work with our clients to develop individual diabetes treatment plans, including weight loss.
Why Do We Need Food?
Food is our fuel. Without it .... well. Food is what keeps us ticking. The problem arises when we consume too much fuel; we get fat. That is easy to do and, surprisingly, harder to take off.
Gaining weight is like losing money. Both are easy. They are the path to least resistance providing short-term positive stimulation. Just think of the last time you enjoyed that scrumptious ice cream cone, which you knew you should not have eaten in your heart of hearts.
What is in Food?
Food can be broken down into three primary components. Foods contain carbohydrates, fats and protein in various quantities. With diabetes, carbohydrates typically affect our blood sugar, which I watch out for when prepping my diabetes meals.
This may all seem mundane, but it is essential to understand how your body reacts to food when you have diabetes, all towards seeking a good balance for managing your blood sugar.
What to Consider?
The first to consider is what people call the macronutrients. These are the carbohydrates, fats and proteins we take in larger amounts to fuel our bodies. The question arises with diabetes treatment, “What happens when one has to reduce carbohydrates?”
That is a question for each to consider. In my case, with my trials, I have replaced the carbohydrates with more protein and a little fat. Some may say, “OMG, FAT?” Yes, fat. For me, cutting way back on carbohydrates had to be replaced with something else – and for me, that was not more protein, that was adding fat to my diet.
The caveat for everyone. Before making any changes to your diabetes diet, discuss this with your healthcare professional to make sure that there is not something that someone is missing.
Let’s talk about Carbohydrates.
How many diets do we see that disdain carbohydrates? Not to bash any particular diet, but the first that comes to mind is a Keto Diet. Some love the carbo-eliminated or much-reduced carbo-diets, and some, like me, put these quick fixes into the realm of “buga buga” medicine.
I contend that there are no quick fixes to losing weight, leading to a better quality of life living with diabetes. There is only determination to stay on track with a diet that works for you. And for me, it took some time and research to figure that out.
Who could have believed that more than three forkfuls of rice or ¼ a baked potato would do me in? But a whole serving of New York Cheesecake is fine. And by the way, I love the cheesecake. Also, to control other things that need to be dealt with, there is the issue of do you eat red meat or live on a diabetes diet of chicken and fish. That can be a good point for beginning “what can you eat food research.”
The thing to remember about carbs. They convert quickly to sugar, and the body stores sugar as fat. In my diabetes diet, my goal is to limit – not eliminate carbs and keep my blood glucose readings within an acceptable range. That can be your goal, too, with just a little work.
Let’s talk about Protein.
What we need from protein are amino acids, and meat protein has a much more comprehensive display of amino acids than those veggies many people say it is best to eat.
If one wants to live on a vegetarian diet, the caveat is to ensure sufficient amino acids of the right kind pass through your gums.
In addition, folks may think that cutting out carbohydrates for protein will result in losing weight, but not necessarily, as overeating protein can lead to weight gain and complicate matters by stressing the kidneys. That is not something one wants to do on a diabetes diet, as diabetes will already strain many parts of your body.
What Matters?
The facts matter, and with food on a diabetes diet, it is all about balancing the impact on blood sugar, weight gain and fueling the body. I am a walking, breathing example of being able to do it. Having lost 11 Kg (24 Lbs), I can hold myself up as a shining example. Well, an example anyway.
Has it been hard? Sometimes yes – but more frustrating than hard. Going out to a restaurant and finding very little to eat, to seeing how many ways one can cook chicken, fish and vegetables. But thank goodness for the Internet. Thousands of recipes work, and as I write this, I am waiting for my diabetes bread recipe to work.
My bread contains flax seed, Psyllium, Wheat Germ, Almond Flour and Whole Wheat Flour. This recipe aims to find the maximum Whole Wheat Flour I can use before my sugar begins to spike.
The End
Food is what keeps us going. It is the fuel for our life. And as diabetics, we should all have the goal of having a better quality of life living with diabetes, and that comes down to managing our blood sugar, losing weight and staying healthy by managing our carbohydrates, protein and fat intakes.
There is no quick fix, only persistence that will pay off. You can do it by balancing your carbohydrates, protein and fats, and we are always here to help at www.damndiabetes.ca. Why not give us a call and let’s chat about how we can help you.... because the facts matter.
Best wishes from all of us at:
Wayne Drury was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes more than one year ago. He quickly discovered there was scant diabetes information providing a roadmap to a better quality of life living with diabetes.
With his passion for learning, helping and providing Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trust (E-A-T) to the diabetes community, Damndiabetes began. A boutique firm in Vancouver, they live and breathe the consequences of treating diabetes daily. If you wish help with your diabetes management, are frustrated and have nowhere to turn, call on Damndiabetes.ca and experience their EAT today.
Disclaimer of Medical Advice: Statements and opinions expressed on this Website do not constitute medical advice or recommendations. It would be best not to rely on any information in such posts or comments to replace consultations and decisions with qualified healthcare professionals.
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