What though youth gave love and roses, Age still leaves us friends and wine. ~ Thomas More #quote
Eating a cookie, listening to classical music, and sipping tea this past Sunday, I was happy. And not just because of the deliciousness of the cookie but because, for the first time in a long time, I had a good idea about how that cookie specifically contributes to my health.
As a foodie, I value food for it’s nutrition, comfort, beauty, and community building qualities. I’ve done extensive research into healthy eating, especially while pregnant and nursing, and for over twenty years have cooked with quinoa, stevia, and other “new” foods. But there is something truly new on my radar. I’m working to avoid a prediabetes diagnosis.
Back to my cookie (and you know how much I love cookies). Using MyFitnessPal for the past two weeks, I’ve been able to track the specific nutrition of everything I eat individually and I can see how my foods work together to meet daily requirements. I had checked this site out a few years ago and found it cumbersome. But now, I’m impressed. The program is free, has a huge database of nutrition labels, scans food bar codes via smart phones, has a recipe importer, tracks exercise, links to many smart apps, and so much more.
While I wasn’t happy with the discussion I had with my care provider about the results of my glucose tolerance test, it got my attention. In my work and friendships, I encourage all women to take care of themselves as a way, in part, to take care of their families. But this is hard work, especially when our physical needs change. To take care of the woman I am now, I need to consider anew what I’ve learned about food and health in the past, keep what is good, ditch the rest, and produce a doable, creative, and positive plan. Time to regroup.
Do you use MyFitnessPal? Have your physical needs changed over time? What are you favorite healthy living tips?
Here’s to our health ~~~~~~~~ Angie Mc
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I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I know you’ll manage and work wonders, but I still am saddened. We, too, have low glucose tolerances, and have adopted a ketogenic diet for our lifestyle. Perhaps something like a paleolithic program or ketogenic program for you would be beneficial; they’re proven to often reverse diabetes and metabolic resistance.
Whatever comes, may God bless you. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Dane! Luckily, I’m not diagnosed yet…and I’m fighting this all the way 🙂 I just had one slightly elevated test result, but, I know that I’m being given clues as to what my body needs now. Definitely fewer carbs at one sitting, and less lactose. Yes, I’ve talked with your lovely bride about your ketogenic lifestyle and she has been most generous and supportive. I’m really hopeful about finding ways that work for me now. Keep up the good work with taking care of yourself!
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I don’t take nearly enough care of myself. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
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Oh, Linda, I’m glad we’re in this together! Rooting for you 🙂
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I enjoyed your musings and will grab a cookie too Angie. I hope you are doing great, sending you my best wishes, Aquileana 🙂
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Thanks always, Aquileana! As long as I can keep my cookies, I’ll be find 🙂 Sending cyber cookies and wishes for a wonderful week to you ❤
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I hope you keep us up to date on this site. I’ve saved it in my favorites but haven’t used it yet. I too was diagnosed with prediabetes. I struggle to keep it at target (still higher than I want but the DR is happy). My concern with using the site (still haven’t checked it) is that I chose a low carb lifestyle and most of my recipes are homemade using uncommon items. Vacation is coming so I hope to check it out next week. keep us posted.
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Ana, good for you and the work you do to keep on target. While I haven’t been diagnosed yet, I did get an unusual result, for me, that my care provider felt she needed to discuss with me. It’s like she was saying I could be pre-prediabetic?! All I know is that the information I’m gathering at MyFitnessPal is really helping me to target my new needs. And to your questions, YES you can adjust the nutrition percentages and the ones you watch closely to fit your needs. (The percentages are standard and I haven’t changed mine but saw that you can.) And YES you can add your own recipes! I’ve added some pretty obscure items so I really am optimistic for you about this! Let’s stay in touch about this 🙂 And have a great vacation ❤
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that sounds good, I look forward to trying it
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Oh no! I’m sorry you’ve had this scare! Hopefully you’ll be able to stop it in its tracks.
That’s partly why I went ketogenic, to head that off at the pass for myself. I watched a step-mother practically commit suicide by sugar, the endless cycle of gorging on pie, candy, and potatoes, followed by insulin injections. What an awful way to live.
Have you started testing your glucose levels? The little monitors are fairly inexpensive – they get you on the test strips, lol.
*hugs* To your health, dear Angie! ❤
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I’m so sorry about your step-mother, so sad. May all who find themselves in her position find the help and support they need to feel as well as possible. God sometimes asks us to suffer through physical challenges. But I don’t want to self-inflict.
Since I’m technically pre-pre-diabetic (one atypical test) I’m not testing levels yet. For now, I’m getting such great results with managing food, I’ll wait and see if I get stumped…It’s good to know that I have access to home testing.
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Angie, I think this is such a vital topic to address. Moms so often take care of everyone but themselves. I know I’m guilty of this! Good for you for being proactive on the blood sugar scare and I hope diet changes are all you need to stay fit.
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Thank you for your well wishes, Faith! You are right, we care givers need to care for ourselves too 🙂 I’ll keep you posted on my diet changes. So far, so happy 🙂
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