10.16.2010

Fat

I've finally come to terms with fat. Eating it that is. When I was first diagnosed the plan was to follow the standard ADA pyramid diet with the majority of calories at the bottom of the pyramid coming from breads and grains and the least at the top from fat and sweets. Saturated fat was as bad for you as inhaling uranium and to be avoided at all costs. Margarine or low fat butter(an oxymoron if I ever heard one) was highly recommended. Lean meat such as chicken and fish were encouraged. Bacon and sausage would make the devil thrive in your right ventricle. Drink skim milk only. 2% will create slugde in your arteries. No cream cheese. Eggs should be limited--oh and don't eat the yolk, the devil will lurk. Very little fat is acceptable. After all, diabetics are at a higher risk of heart disease. As a 15 year old, I listened thoroughly, took the medical advice and tried to be a good patient.

In the last few years I have eaten real butter. Do you know what real butter tastes like? It's AHHH....MAAA...ZING. I snack on nuts sometimes, mostly almonds. I eat sausage, bacon and steak. I eat eggs, yolk included. I eat things on the top of the pyramid. If you go on the ADA's website and search for the food pyramid you will find a short blurb stating that it is no longer in use as a meal planning tool. I find this disturbing, not only because I followed medical advice that didn't put me at an advantage against this disease, but because I don't know what kind of advice I am following now or in the future that could be detrimental to my health.  So I have adopted my own philosophy for food, it's not original, but that its something I can live with, enjoy and feel confident that I'm supporting my body. I stay away from processed food, such as sugar-free cookies. What are those things made of anyways? I shop at farmer's markets in season and buy organically when I can. I focus on lots of fruits, vegetables and protein. I limit carbs, I don't avoid them. I've decided that eating real food, fat or no fat, is better than eating something that has been synthetically produced. People need fat. Even diabetics. If complimented with exercise, fat is your friend. It should be enjoyed.

My fat-loving ways were recently validated by my new endocrinologist. She suggested that I drink whole milk instead of 2% with my morning oatmeal or eat eggs every morning to decrease post prandial spikes. Drink whole milk? I gasped. And then I said, I like you.

4 comments:

  1. Yep, I am totally with you on this. I definitely believe in REAL WHOLE foods. I get a CSA membership every year and get our veggies from a local farm. I think the fat and proteins and fibers of real foods help lower the glycemic indices of foods/meals, ultimately lowering spikes and drops. And, yes, it is hard to keep up with the latest and greatest in dietary trends/recommendations/suggestions...they seem to change as often as my hair color.

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  2. I like your philosophy - it sounds a lot like mine! I try to avoid processed foods when I can; eat more whole foods; buy organic and local when it's available. I watched the movie "Food, Inc." earlier this year, and it was a bit of a life-changing event. I wouldn't recommend watching it unless you're willing to totally change the way you look at food.

    P.S. I like your new endo, too! :D

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  3. Whole foods every time.

    Any of US DOC types heard much about Jamie Oliver's 'American Food Revolution'? He managed to make major changes in the UK to the food that kids were served in schools and was trying to do something similar in the US.

    M

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  4. Good job. Check out Westin Price Foundation for great info on fats. Fat is the one macro nutrient that won't raise your BS. Are you familiar with Dr. Richard K Berntein? See my blog when you can, I enjoyed yours.
    www.tribaldiabetics.com

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