Halve my insulin levels

Between the bridal shower, Easter brunch, and my sister’s homebaked chocolate cake, I had waaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy too much sugar this weekend. Not good for mind or body.

I last checked my blood sugar a week or two ago and it was holding safe and steady at 80. So that is very good, but I still dont like that my body has to work hard to keep my blood sugar level normal.

My insulin levels will not be checked again until December, at which point I hope they are far below what they were last December, but that will only happen if I vastly increase my vegetable intake – veggies really should be like at least half of my diet – and scale back on the simple sugar foods (like potatoes and white bagels for example). I have come up with a comprehensive grocery list of healthy – ie natural and not too sugar-heavy – foods that I like. Every category is on the list: veggies, fruits, dairy, grains, nuts & seeds, meat & fish, snacks & sweets, freezer, and pantry. I also bought a new cookbook, and as my Dad (the cook of the family) is having surgery on Thursday and will be unable to cook for 4-6 weeks, this is the perfect time for me start learning how to cook using my preferred ingredients.

Haven’t had Gatorade since the day I made that that ranting entry 5 days ago…

Didn’t eat any of the cookies or even taste the dough when I baked Christmas cookies with my grandma last week…

Eating apples and grapefruit (so excited that may favorite fruit is still in season)...

Only microwave food Ive had in several days is popcorn…

Slowly inch by inch improving my nutrition…

Why do you have taste so good and be so refreshing!! I can’t get enough of you!! You need to go away!!!

cough I did get a pack of sparkling water last night so I’ll have something other than water – something with more substance to it, when I don’t want water – but I fail to see how this will substitute for my beloved liquid rubies…

sigh

So, I got a call from my ob/gyn yesterday morning saying she wanted to discuss my blood test results. I had seen her for my annual last week and she wanted to do some blood tests, based on my lifestyle and family history. With a dad and grandma as full-blown diabetics, a history of high cholesterol on the other side, over 10 years on birth control pills, a basically sedentary lifestyle apart from yoga, and a diet comprised of probably 85% carbohydrates, she had an inkling I might be headed for trouble. Called her back and…it was a mixed bag of good and bad news.

The good: healthy blood sugar levels and healthy cholesterol levels. yay! The bad: high triglyceride levels and obscenely high insulin level. boo!

My triglyceride level isn’t at the alarming stage yet. The insulin, on the other hand, was practically off the charts (I had a reading of 40; anything over 10 is considered high), indicating that I have insulin resistance. This is the first step on the road to diabetes. Pre-diabetes is the next stage and I dont want to even get there so we will be nipping this IR in the bud. El pronto. As my mom said, “you need to slay the dragon.” Not wait for him to blow fire and burn down the castle.

Since Im not big on medication, we’re going to try to cure this one naturally.

The recipe is simple:

1. daily aerobic exercise of 30-45 minutes

2. diet of
-vegetables
-seafood
-fish
-seeds
-beans
-nuts
-eggs
-cheese
-lean meats
-unsweetened yogurt
-healthy fats
-‘good’ fruits
-unrefined whole complex grains

For years Ive been gathering information on what constitues a healthy diet (diet as in what you eat daily/weekly basis, not some short-term temporary fix fad) and sustainable movement. Ive been armed with the knowledge, and just never put it all into action. Now my choice is: put the knowledge into action or develop diabetes. Hmmm, which one shall I choose?

Now for the sucky stuff: simple sugars/carbs and refined are supposed to be avoided. These two things right now form damn near my entire diet so this is going to be quite a shift. Cutting these out entirely is impossible; limiting these foods to indulge in on holidays and special occasions will be difficult enough!

First goal: reduce insulin level over next 6 months
Second goal: get insulin level back to normal over next year
Third goal: maintain normal insulin level

Off we go…