When I started this website, I intended to write weekly about a new subject regarding diabetes care. Nonetheless, I always end up referring back to the same topics. It is not due to my lack of creativity. I find many people with diabetes are still uninformed of certain concepts. This week is no different.

I am going to write this week about a person I will call “Andy”. Andy is in his late forties and he has diabetes. He also has heart disease and has an artificial pacemaker. Andy requested to see me because he wants to lose weight. He told me he exercises about six days a week but is unable to maintain any permanent weight loss. Andy mentioned part of the problem is he eats what his family eats and needs his “own diet”. Andy has three small children and his wife also has heart problems. I asked Andy what his family normally eats. Andy stated his family eats donuts and fried potatoes daily. Andy also remarked his family usually eats McDonald’s food at least three times a week. He felt McDonald’s food was fine because they ate chicken nuggets and fries. As Andy was explaining his family’s diet to me, I could see he was starting to feel a tinge of guilt so he asked me I felt this food was healthy for his children. I responded by asking Andy if he felt this diet was healthy for him. He replied “no". Next, I inquired “Why is it healthy for your children?” He could not answer the question.

Do I think Andy is a bad parent? No, I just think Andy like most people is naive about his role in his family’s health. He was also unaware diabetes is a family disease. Even if his children eat the right foods and maintain a healthy weight they have a 42% chance of getting diabetes because they have his genes. The chances increase significantly if his children fail to maintain a healthy weight. Now before Andy throws up his hands in the air and gives up, his family may be the solution to his problem. I asked Andy if his parents had diabetes. He answered no. I asked him if his parents were overweight. He also replied no. I reviewed Andy’s parents’ diet with him and he mentioned his parents hardly eat out at restaurants and he did not understand why they did not have diabetes because “they eat lots of beans and rice”. Andy admitted to me he was the first generation born in America and his parents primarily ate food from their home country. Andy and I have some serious work ahead to reach Andy’s goals but in the meantime I hope Andy realizes he needs to take steps to establish healthy eating patterns for his family. It would be the best gift he can give to them.

Email me at askard@stablebloodsugar.com if you have any questions about this or any of my blogs. Allison