At the age of 36, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I noticed that I was getting up several times a night to go to the bathroom, something that had never happened before, and that indicated something was wrong with my body.
My doctor ordered lab tests, and I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My grandmother had type 2 diabetes, my uncle had type 2 diabetes, and now it’s my turn.
Changing diet and lifestyle
I’m Italian and grew up eating rich Italian food like tortellini and other homemade pasta dishes. For someone who loves food, finding out you have diabetes can be a cruel thing.
After I was diagnosed with diabetes, I completely changed my diet and lifestyle. I checked the American Diabetes Association website to find out what foods I could eat and started eating only low-carb foods. I would calculate the carbohydrate content: 15 kilocalories per snack and 45 kilocalories per meal. I stopped eating bread, pasta, and even refused to eat most cheeses. Although I’m not a sports person, I run on the treadmill for 30 minutes every night.
In about 4 months, I lost 45.4 pounds. Once I lost the weight, my glycated hemoglobin (an indicator of blood sugar control) went down, which made me feel good about myself.
Obstructed in healthy eating
After 6 months, I felt exhausted. I missed the big Italian meals my mother and grandmother used to make, so I started letting myself go on weekends to eat those foods. By Monday morning, I was back to counting carbs and eating lots of vegetables and protein. This causes me to gain a few pounds over the weekend and then lose them quickly during the week, which is obviously not a healthy way to go.
Eventually, I went back to eating whatever I wanted, like indulging in pizza, cheeseburgers, and fries. At this point, my glycosylated hemoglobin shot up to 10 and I started to develop neuropathy in my feet, which felt like they had blisters on the inside instead of on the outside. I even developed stomach pains, and I realized I needed to do something about it.
Finding a better way to cope
Now, I’m trying to eat healthier and lose the weight I gained. I found that what worked for me was to eat a few small meals and snacks during the day, so I never let myself get too hungry. I’ll eat some almonds, beef jerky or a protein-rich granola bar. If I’m hungry at night, I’ll make a salad dressing with vinegar or have some apple slices.
I try to lose weight every day by taking a brisk walk, and I’ve realized that stress can make people eat more food. So I’ve found better ways to cope.
I feel much better when I know I’m eating healthier. My glycated hemoglobin is now about 7, and I also have improved energy and don’t feel tired. When I eat healthy, my body responds positively.
Here are some tips from Jarrod.
- Distract yourself as much as possible: Eat an apple or a couple of carrots, or try eating pickles, which for me reduces the craving for sweets.
- Get support: My wife has been a great help. She cooks healthy, low-carb foods and gives me a lot of encouragement.
- Going online to diabetes forums: Countless people are facing the same situation as myself and are struggling.
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