BASIC HEALTHY EATING HABITS

Update: This is a repost from 4 years ago. I will 77 on Wednesday. My husband is now deceased, and I have added leukemia to my list of illnesses. My blood sugar now runs closer to 125 than to 100. Still doing well.

If you follow this blog, you know I have several auto-immune diseases including diabetes. Since my diabetes diagnosis at age 60 I have done extensive nutritional research and successfully learned to control my diabetes and improve my overall health. At age 73 I am proud of my health and that I am able to take care of my invalid husband, cook for the homeless and manage the church bookstore. I do not have to follow a yucky diet as many may believe and you don't have to, either. I eat small meals about every 4 hours, and I watch what I eat and how it is prepared. I try not to eat anything after 7 pm except for a slice of cheese to help regulate my overnight blood sugar. If I need something I make sure it is a small quantity of a healthy food. I have gone from a blood sugar level of almost 500 at my diagnosis to an average of around 100 -125 daily. I take 1 pill a day for by blood sugar and do the rest with diet. It is amazing how this has improved my overall health. My cholesterol is about half what it used to be, and I have gone from extremely high liver enzymes to normal. I have routine blood work every 6 months to follow up and it continues to be excellent. If you are interested in improving your health here are some simple guidelines to follow:

• Eat a variety of foods. Do not drop any particular category of foods without discussing it with your doctor first.
• Watch your portions. You can eat too much even of a good thing!
• Read food labels. Know what you are eating! Check calories, carbs, protein, fat (avoid trans fats), sodium, and sugar amounts on everything you buy.
• Eat on a regular basis, no skipping meals.
• Eat small meals several times a day instead of large meals once or twice a day.
• Always eat breakfast. The word breakfast means breaking the fast. This is how your body knows you are up and it needs to leave sleep mode.
• Match the amount you eat to your activity level. Don't eat for mountain climbing if you will be sitting at a desk all day!
• Go for whole foods over processed foods.

By practicing healthy eating habits you will quickly see how easy it is and how much your health (and weight loss is usually an added bonus) improves.