The Diabetic Diva Is Back

I'm trying to eat the diabetic way—which is a diet consisting mainly of fruits and vegetables, small amounts of proteins and even smaller amounts of carbohydrates. It isn't working very well.

Why?

I'm glad you asked. I'm a meat and potatoes kind of girl. I don't like all of those fancy vegetables like peppers, onions and sprouts. I like beans, peas, corn, and my favorite, potatoes.

I love potatoes cooked any way. Fried, mashed, steamed, baked, au gratin, boiled; I'm beginning to salivate just a little. Anyhow, mashed potatoes with brown gravy are my favorite food.

There's only one problem: Potatoes are very high in carbohydrates, and, as you know, carbs break down into sugar which your body then uses to provide you with energy.

Wait! Slow down! Hold up a minute! I know what you're saying. Aren't diabetics supposed to avoid sugar? After all, the term sugar diabetes has been used to describe Diabetes Mellitus for many years.

You would be correct. But, it just isn't potatoes; it's also rice, bread and grains, everything that I enjoy. I was raised on a farm and we didn't grow bean sprouts; we grew potatoes, corn and beans. I really think it's hard to change a way of eating that I grew up with.

Shoot, I gave up the desserts! I once had a doctor tell me that he would rather I ate a piece of cake instead of a baked potato. Go figure!

All the Diabetic Diva is saying is that I don't mind altering my diet in some ways to keep my glucose levels low, but, leave my taters alone. That's one food I'm not giving up!

Tune in next time when the discussion may or may not involve exercise.