The predictable part of my diabetes diet is not to difficult for me. It consists of eating lots of vegetables and lean protein and a limited amount of carbohydrates which include milk products and fruits. I can manage that. The unpredictable part is a whole other subject. I can do everything just right and still get a high fasting glucose reading. Something happens in the middle of the night that spikes my insulin levels and this isn't something I can control. This has been very challenging and frustrating to say the least. I've already come to the conclusion that there isn't much I can do about it. I am even learning to relax about getting an occasional high reading in the mornings. My dietitian doesn't think it's a big deal so I won't either.
Apart from the dietary constraints I am encouraged to exercise for at least 30 minutes after meals. During the day, not a big deal. I go to the gym 3 times a week and on other days I try to include a long walk and/or bike ride to maintain active. It's night times that can be challenging and that is perhaps the single most important factor that affects my fasting blood sugar readings. Needless to say I've become a regular street walker come 8pm or anytime dinner is done. It's actually quite nice once I get out there but finding the motivation to do it can sometimes be difficult, especially when I haven't seen my husband all day and we've just finished dinner and gotten 5 minutes of real adult conversation. I know, it's not too bad. It's actually good for me and I recognize this part. If I had the choice I probably wouldn't do it so I guess the mandatory requirement is necessary in this case.
As I was walking today I got to thinking: If I had a cheat day, which I don't, what would I eat? The thought of chocolate cake turns my stomach upside down. I somehow can't see myself eating that much sugar after being abstinent for almost 8 weeks. Yuck! No, definitely not chocolate cake. It took me a few minutes but then I remembered the yummy honeydew that's been sitting in my refrigerator for a week. I could inhale that in one sitting. I'm also dying to have a bowl of cereal, not fruit loops or any sugar laden cereal, plain bran cereal would be ok with me if I could have it with milk and fresh berries. I'd love to have a bowl of yogurt with fruit, a little granola and honey. Wow, now that is what I call an indulgence. That used to be my breakfast up until the day of my glucose tolerance test. I miss it.
Is that it? Is that all I crave? It doesn't seem too bad right? I have never been a big junk food eater so hamburgers, french fries, pizza, or chips are not really in my radar right now. I just want a bottomless bowl of fruit. That would make me happy :) Maybe I can make that my celebratory postpartum meal.
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