Learning a New Language

 My daily eating routine brings me comfort. Cereal, fruit, and an egg for breakfast. Sandwich, chips, and an apple for lunch. Meat, potatoes, vegetables for dinner. Add a bowl of almond ice cream before bed.  I grab a few chips, granola bars or crackers, in between or whenever hunger strikes.  Not too bad you say. 

My doctor has an entirely different opinion. “You have diabetes,” he announces after my annual Medicare checkup.

You’ve got to be kidding. I know I’ve put on weight and resisted exercise, but Type 2 diabetes?  I’m too old to learn how to eat again!

Since that day two weeks ago, I’ve been bombarded with Facebook posts.  Drink this tea, take this supplement, order daily meal plans, and my favorite—eat every three hours.  All of cyberspace knows what I am dealing with, and I’m still trying to figure it out.

The medical advice seems plain and simple—exercise at least five times each week.  Cut back daily carbs to no more than 60 gm per day. Lose at least 25 pounds. Yikes! That will turn my life upside down and backwards.

My online research led me to discover there are some good and some bad carbohydrates.

Good carbs are found in vegetables, fruits, grains, and beans. The stuff everyone likes—cakes, bread, pasta, French fries, and burgers—are loaded with bad carbs. Potatoes, rice, pasta, and cereals are some of the worst.  Walnuts, almonds, and peanuts are much lower in carbs.

Trying to figure out what carbs I can and cannot eat is overwhelming. I’ve always prided myself on eating a healthy diet, but pride goes before a fall.  My so-called healthy diet has not served me well. I spent an hour and a half at the grocery store last week reading labels.  I found some whole grain bread with fewer carbs and calories that I can have from time to time.  Fruit and veggies are good, and I like them, so I loaded up my buggy.

Next, I ordered a senior exercise video that is teaching me how to MOVE.  That young whippersnapper that leads the exercise has no clue about being old, fat, and lazy. However, he motivates me to get in shape as I try to keep up with his cardio and core strengthening moves.

My late bloomer husband is an exercise guru and loves his desserts.  Keeping something in the house he can eat, that will not tempt me, is a challenge. Dunkin Donuts is right around the corner and has all the goodies he wants.

 

The doctor found this early and has a goal for me to not use needles and take pills.  When I see him again in October, we will reevaluate the situation. In the meantime, I’m learning a new eating language and at this point, not sure I like it.