The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook.
-- Julia Child
I really do not like the term "one size fits all." That concept is fine for those who can shop at stores that don't cater to large sizes. But the words mock harder-to-fit folks like me.
Over the years I noticed that some companies changed to "one size fits most." But that's not much better. And by taking the easy way out on sizing, companies have shamed a large number of people who just wanted to wear a cute piece of clothing.
If the one-size-fits-all mindset doesn't work with clothing, it really doesn't work with eating plans. Eating and food preferences are one of a kind and very personal.
You'd be hard-pressed to find two people who enjoy exactly the same diet. And because of that, the amount of eating plans and "diets" on the market grows by leaps and bounds every year. Choices range from low carbohydrate and low fat to liquid fasts and weekly weigh-in meetings to companies that mail their food to you.
Where do we start?
I have come to realize that I will never stick with any eating plan that requires too much money, effort or perceived deprivation. That doesn't mean I don't think it's worth it to take an organized approach. It just means that I am well aware of my limitations when it comes to eating healthfully.
But I do know that what works best for me is variety, moderation and planning.
When many of us were first diagnosed with diabetes, knowing what to eat was confusing. We may have been nervous about trying to do everything right. Then, after friends, our doctors, the media and family members added their two cents worth, we found ourselves standing at the edge of the ring ready to throw in the towel.
What Do I Eat Now?: A Step by Step Guide to Eating Right With Type 2 Diabetes is a book that is right up my alley. It's published by the American Diabetes Association and sold online at diabetes.org.
The authors, registered dietitians Tami A. Ross and Patti B. Geil, wrote the book to help "simplify our lives through basic nutrition survival skills and behavior changes."
One of the main things about treatment for Type 2 diabetes, the authors say, is that it takes a lot of self care. Not only do many diabetics require medication, we also must manage our nutrition in hopes of controlling our blood glucose levels.
What's so good about this book is that while not telling us what to eat, they tell us what to eat. In a good way.
The book offers chapters that include:
• Diabetes and Nutrition 101
• Carbohydrate Control
• Plan Smart, Shop Smart, Cook Smart
• Eat Out, Eat Right
• Savvy Snacking
• Recipe Renewal
• Special Occasion Strategies
I will have to say there is gold in this here book.
Like me, the authors see the importance of an individual nutrition plan based on people's own food preferences. They also stress the importance of visualizing what nutritional success means to us, and then planning what to do to make that vision a reality.
The bottom line, they say, is that while it would be nice to turn our choices over to an eating guru, the fact is that our own, everyday choices have the greatest impact on our health and well-being. We should choose for ourselves.
And in doing so, we will reap the benefits of our actions instead of just living with the consequences.
Email me at:
rboggs@arkansasonline.com
ActiveStyle on 05/09/2016