Taking Advice from a Diabetic Foodie

Eating healthy is essential for all human beings, but it is especially true for those who suffer with a chronic illness. People with diabetes are extremely sensitive to diet, as what they eat can mean life or death for them each and every day. From ignoring fast food advertisements and the array of restaurants one may pass each day, to finding ways to make healthy food deliciously appetizing, there are many obstacles to overcome when one decides to eat healthy. One of the greatest obstacles for my family of four is the cost of healthy eating. Have you ever wondered how you can eat healthy on a budget? Shelby, the self-proclaimed diabetic foodie posted an article by Vanessa Davis that gives some amazing advice on what to eat, along with some kid-friendly recipes that will not break the bank.

Davis' article is both disheartening and encouraging. She states that it will cost more to eat healthy; that is just something we have to accept. At the same time, it will only cost $150.00 more than one's current unhealthy diet. I am not sure of the frequency Vanessa is talking about, but I assume she means per month. While this could still be quite high for a family struggling financially, it sure does beat the medical costs that are inevitable with the long-term consumption of unhealthy food.

Vanessa also asserts that there are 500,000 fast food restaurants around the world. How can one compete with that? As Davis states, "learn your way around the kitchen." Cooking is much cheaper than eating out, and with online recipes and free cooking courses, it will be just a matter of time before you are eating healthy and saving money. Davis gives a few tips on how to make the most out of your meals by cooking with seasonal produce and picking foods, like eggs and oats, that are more filling.

Well, I certainly am going to take some of this advice, like figuring out what is seasonal and what is not and incorporating those foods into my family's diet. I can also budget for $150.00 a month by cutting out other expenses like going out to eat at a restaurant, ordering pizza and choosing a matinee over a regular priced movie. I think the sacrifices are worth it and will be beneficial to my entire family for years to come.

Check out my next post which will include the information on seasonal produce that my research has garnered!

Should We Fast from Fast Food?

It’s fast, it’s cheap and it tastes good. Oh the convenience of fast food. But, I do not call it convenient when my young children are adamantly screaming that they want Burger King, Wendy’s or McDonald's when I pick them up from school. I also do not think it is convenient when you or your loved one is diagnosed with high blood pressure or a carotid artery. The term convenient becomes confusing when we do a cost-benefit analysis and compare today’s short cuts to tomorrow’s consequences.     

With a growing segment of Americans who are obese, riddled with heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes, it is my opinion that fast food restaurants should not be allowed to advertise on television. People know they need to eat and have the right to choose what kinds of food they want to put into their bodies. With fast food companies advertising unhealthy food that is high in sodium and trans fatty acid, the American public is bombarded with images and messages that this should be their diet of choice. The issue becomes larger and more devastating when these advertisements are directed towards youth, with fun toys, cartoon characters, low prices, appealing colors and easily identifiable images.

Of course this argument can be made about many things that are advertised in the media: toys, clothing, medicine, just to name a few, but I think a red flag should go up when the product in question is literally killing people. Eating is a daily ritual and food is how we accomplish it. Fast food, however, increases the risk of eczema, asthma and stuffy nose in children. Youths consuming fast food consume more calories than those who eat at home. Childhood obesity, which is linked to many chronic illnesses, including type 1 diabetes, continues to increase in the United States. We have to do something about this. In my opinion, negative advertisements that affect the food choice in America should be banned from all media sources. In the meantime, people should understand the nutritional values of fast food items and avoid buying those that harm our health.

It is a constant battle for me to feed myself and my family, especially my son who was diagnosed with diabetes, healthy and nutritional meals at an affordable price. I do not need or appreciate the battle made more difficult by the barrage of advertisements shouting at us to buy value meals, dollar menu items or 4 for $4 deals that are riddled with sodium, hydrogenated oil, and calories that we do not want or need in our systems.