Lifestyle Changes

A few weeks back, Mier wasn't feeling very well. He thought at first that this was because of his perennial sinusitis. A BP check showed his diastolic a little elevated. We decided to just see a cardiologist just to make sure that all is well. The doctor gave him antibiotics for his sinus problems then asked him to take a full blood check. Turns out that he has high blood sugar, high uric acid and triglycerides, high SGPT and SGOT results. In other words, high everything!

Since both his parents are diabetic, Mier could be considered as diabetic already based on the blood results. Well, he is more than 40 already and should really be watching what he eats. He used to play basketball once a week but when he stubbed his toe a few months back, he has stopped playing. The doctor refused to give him maintenance medicines just yet and says that all these results could be lowered by diet and exercise alone. And of course, less stress in life. :-) Doctor says that medicines are the easy way out and are for life. We won't need this if we eat right and play right.

So armed with this knowledge, Mier and I have talked about some lifestyle changes. More fish and chicken breasts on the menu. Whole wheat bread and gluten free foods. The doctor says we can still eat meat twice or thrice a week but less fat and less rice as much as possible. Mier doesn't want to switch to red rice but I think we can manage with white rice. Fruits can be eaten only with a meal and limited too. As much as possible no sweets.

I had to restructure our menu and plan around our diets. I had to think of fish and chicken dishes that are more palatable. I think so far, I've managed quite well. I haven't heard him complain of my cooking although most of the dishes are experimental. Hahaha! You can check a lot of my new recipes in the recipe section of this blog site.

He has tried to continue basketball and soccer too once a week and he tries to jog or brisk walk twice a week. He plans to go back to biking but needs to fix his bike first I think. We'll be checking his blood again in a month's time and hopefully results will be better already. I think we can manage with a change in lifestyle instead of taking in medications.

With these changes, we hope to teach the kids also to eat healthier and better. They have diabetes genes in both sides of the families (my dad is diabetic too) and I had gestational diabetes in 4 out of five pregnancies. I think this is a wake up call for all of us. Here's to a better life! :-)