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Mindful Eating for Diabetes
Is it actually possible to have diabetes and NOT have a list of “good” or “bad” foods to eat? Is it possible to be able to eat what you want and still manage your blood sugars? Most of you are saying “Heck NO!” (or some version of that). Well, I’m here to tell you, I disagree! Restrictive diets are actually the cause of many of our health problems. People are going to extremes cutting out food groups, depriving and torturing themselves to get to a number on the scale or a number on their blood glucose meter…sometimes they achieve their goal, but are so exhausted and tired of feeling deprived and tortured that it’s hard to maintain it.
Mindlessness is something that happens to all of us. Here’s an example – there is a certain route I take to get my child to his karate class, which we have traveled a few times a week, for the 9 months. About 6 months ago, I started going to a regular yoga class, and at least 7 of the first 10 times that I drove to that class, I missed the exit….you see, I was on the “karate route” and it was such a repetitive thing for me, I did it mindlessly. I became so annoyed with myself for the mindlessness, that I quit listening to the radio or chatting on the phone and became hyper-aware of where I was going so I could make it there “directly” the first time.
We do this same thing with food…..we “desire” restrictive lists or meal plans because it’s done for us, we don’t have to think about what we “can” and “can’t” have…..and also takes the responsibility away from us. When someone else gives us a list or meal plan, if it doesn’t work then we say “that diet didn’t work.” It’s not that it doesn’t work, but that it wasn’t really what we wanted to begin with and it’s hard to make something work that we don’t desire. We function better when we think and are mindful about our decisions.
Regular Dose of Diabetes Smarts
Even though diabetes is present in your life, there is hope. Hope that harmony between you and diabetes can be attained.
Angela Manderfeld, RD
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