My handsome husband Demetrius was just diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes – probably not unusual for a 58 year-old, but still a curve ball for us!
As usual, I turn to Google for answers about how our lives and diet will and should change. We both work many hours and don’t eat many planned, regular meals. So, we now have an opportunity to make changes to improve our health – plus a strong incentive to do so!
First, let me tell you that my husband thinks Twinkies ARE one of the four food groups (it’s still four, right?). He loves bread, sweets and sodas. He’s Greek, so we eat a lot of pasta. We’re both good cooks and ENJOY cooking. However, our work schedules are so hectic, it is seldom that we are able to eat together or truly enjoy a well thought-out meal. (Sure I can skip dinner and show you that house in thirty minutes!)
My research is progressing and I’m finding predictable results. End of sodas, no processed foods, more natural fruits and vegetables, oatmeal topped with nuts versus processed cereal, and limited alcohol.
The challenge is that my husband doesn’t like Brussels sprouts or kale or broccoli. I love them all. He doesn’t care for legumes either. My Mom sent me the Pioneer Woman’s recipe for butternut squash and kale quesadillas, so I guess I’m going to have to sneak the green veggies in this way. But which tortilla to use?
I wish I could just find a beginner’s guide to appropriate foods, meal planning and snacks until we get the hang of this. It’s really not too helpful to know that avocado and salmon are on the GOOD list, while orange juice and cookies are on the BAD list. Does anyone know offhand if quail eggs are better or if sweet potatoes are acceptable?
We’ve decided to begin our lifestyle change diet together – I can stand to lose some weight, and I wouldn’t eat pizza in front of him unless he really pissed me off. :))
Must add that I’m very grateful to have health insurance and that this was caught in time for us to make healthy changes on our own before serious repercussions were realized. I think this will be an adventure for us, and I’ll update you as we learn. Expect “diabetes friendly recipes” coming your way!
Content written and published by Lori Cain.
