Food, Festival and Diabetes
Living with diabetes is like
sharing space with your worst enemy. You know he is evil and wants your downfall, but you still have no other option. All you can do is deal with it
mindfully. As a diabetic, I constantly go through this ordeal. I am a Type 2
Diabetic who has carried it through a generational legacy. My mother had
diabetes. That warning sign was enough to prompt me to choose a healthy
lifestyle when I was younger. But as a foodie, I could not manage my lifestyle
in the way I was supposed to. So, by the time I turned 40, I fell prey to
diabetes. The initial days were painful as a foodie, as it came with a lot of
restrictions. However, checking up with my doctor frequently and consulting a
nutritionist gradually normalised the process. It was difficult, but not
impossible. And by the time I was 45, I learned to live with Diabetes, without
feeling sad. Every relationship is based on mutual respect. And so is my
relationship with Diabetes.
1. The
Mindful Preference of Food:
During my initial days of diagnosis, I used to be scared of ingesting even a
tiny morsel of something that had been tagged as harmful for a person with
diabetes. That was probably necessary at the time, but as I started maintaining
a balanced diet and a healthier lifestyle, I gradually shifted my perspective
slightly.
The
temptation of sweets and snacks was no longer a threat to me. It rather became
a vast option from which I could pick my desired ones. So, if there is a huge
spread of sweets and snacks at an occasion, rather than going hungry, I would
pick the few I like most.
2.
Normalising
Saying No: If
invited during a festival, the kind host may often offer us a large portion of
sweets or refills. I have normalised saying “No” to a second serving or
refilling. Festivals often leave us eating more than we need to. This generally
happens if there are too many items. What I do is taste very small quantities
of the ones I like. In this way, I get to taste every irresistible item without
overconsuming.
3.
Pre-Festive
Preparation: This
may sound hilarious, but a restrictive diet and healthy lifestyle can prepare
our bodies before a festival. I try to avoid unnecessary intake of fries and
sweets for a month before festivals. As already discussed, festive food is too
tempting to avoid. It is better to prepare a body that can go with the flow, if
required, rather than make perennial sacrifices when it comes to tasty food. Rather
than a festive compromise, a pre-festive one is a much wiser option.
4.
Health
is the Real Wealth:
Checking with the doctor before any festival or occasion is a mandate I always
follow. If possible, an appointment with a dietician or nutritionist also helps
in many ways. No matter where I am, one thing I generally don’t miss is
walking. This year, I went to Kolkata for our biggest festival, Durga Puja. I
made sure to go for my daily morning walk without fail. Also, if it were a short-distance
trip, like up to 4 or 5 bus stops, I would choose to walk. It may sound a bit
kiddish, but Pandal hopping by itself is a great way of walking.
Street food
during this time can be unavoidable at times. It is better to be mindful while having
it. The best way to keep a constant check on our glucose level is to carry a
device that monitors it.
The FreeStyle Libre is
a glucose monitoring system that can perform this tedious task quite easily.
The FreeStyle Libre system features small, wearable sensors that send accurate,
minute-to-minute glucose readings to the app or reader.
How it
helps:
It helps to
check the impact of every meal, every workout and every dose, thus providing a
complete picture of our progress. We can make food and workout preferences
based on the system.
How it
works:
It is a body
sensor that does not require any painful pricking. Glucose levels can be
checked with a simple scan. Wearable for 14 days, this easy-to-use system can be
worn during bathing, swimming and exercising.
The FreeStyle
Libre is a one-time investment worth making for guaranteed healthy living
for anyone living with diabetes.
5.
The
Smart Foods: This
is one trick my dietician shared with me. Diabetes, the enemy we are dealing
with, can poke and pinch us often to give in to cravings. Especially during the
festive season, a box of sweets or a bar of chocolate can be our hottest
temptation. What she suggested was either to go for a handful of dry fruits,
including almonds, walnuts, and raisins, or to prepare a quick fruit chaat with
a sprinkle of chaat masala and plenty of squeezed lime juice.
Similarly,
our cravings for spicy food from outside can be satisfied with a homemade chaat
of sprouts, sprinkled with spices and a little pudina and tamarind chutney.
Here is a
quick Chaat Recipe that I often prepare:
Khatta
Meetha Dahi Chaat
Ingredients:
Serving 2
6
tablespoons of curd
A handful of
boiled white peas
Chaat Masala
Coriander
leaves
2 tsp cumin
powder
1 tsp of tamarind
chutney
1 tsp of pudina
chutney
½ tsp of red
chilli powder
A handful of
pomegranate seeds (optional)
In a bowl,
mix all the ingredients except the chutneys, coriander leaves, and pomegranate
seeds. Adjust the consistency of the curd. If required, add a little water. Finish
with a sprinkle of coriander leaves and pomegranate seeds, and spread the
chutneys on top.
I have tried to maintain a happy festive season by travelling to my heart’s content, meeting friends, and, without compromising on the delicious festive food, following these 5 steps. Mindful living and conscious effort can bring positive changes in our health. We cannot beat diabetes, but we can co-exist with it peacefully.
Disclaimer:
This article has been written as part of an awareness initiative by Blogchatter
and reflects the author’s personal views. It is for informational purposes
only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
recommendations. Please consult your doctor for advice specific to your
individual health needs.
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