Aw Sula - so sorry for the loss of your Mum
Douglas and Sula - your stories make me feel so sad, I know its hard having to reduce or cut out the foods that you used to love so much, but these are the very foods that make us ill.
I remember when I felt like you do now, I was so depressed wanted to jump off Scarborough Valley Bridge, I struggled so hard with this darned diabetes, I was ill all the time, my bg all over the place, mostly high, the guilt whenever I took a bite off a sandwich.
Things came to a head when I left work and went straight over to the bridge, I was standing there looking down and sobbing, I dare not jump, I felt such a failure, not control over diabetes, not enjoying my food, not even daring to jump.
I phoned my lovely husband, he came straight for me, never forget how pale he looked, it gave us both a fright, we drove home, asked the kids to turn off the TV, we needed a serious family talk.
I explained in simple terms about my blood sugars and food, they understood, we talked about low carb, I had some recipes saved already, everyone agreed, cook low carb meals, eg casseroles, stews, roasts, fry ups, add the low carb accompaniments (in those days I only knew about cauli mash) and for the non low carbers have either rice or spuds available. We didnt cook chips at home because once a week we had fish and chips from the chippie.
Well I tell you, it was a turning point, for all of us, the children, bless them they wanted their Mum to be well, they suddenly showed an interest, Johanna pushed away her spuds and said let me try this cauli mash, surprise surprise she loved it. The kids and I made fun of it experimenting with new recipes, they joined in, gradually they really enjoyed eating the new low carb way. Nowadays they dont even bother with spuds or rice or pasta, if they want to have some they shove it into the pan or micro themselves but its not happening. We had the liver dish with buttery mash that I posted in the low carb recipe forum yesterday, they all ate it, if they had wanted spuds, they would have done them, I mean they only take about 10mins in the microwave.
Since then I have tried so many new recipes, even the kids friends are asking me 'how did you make those delish chicken nuggets, my Mum wants the recipe - ah I made them low carb of course. Same with pizzas, the kids adore them and its not just our kids but their friends too. Thing is they know that they have the option of eating other non-low carb stuff, and now and then I would be more than willing to cook it for them, I go out to work, am doing voluntary work in the community, so am busy, but family comes first.
I bake a multiseed loaf and a white loaf of bread, low carb, gradually friends of ours have come round to our way of eating, I used to cater different for them all, now they would be offended if I did, they too say its all such a good way to introduce more veggies into our diet. Nobody is missing out though, the food is delicious, I mean look at some recipes I posted, there are photos, they speak for themselves.
Snacks, berries, fresh or frozen with as bit of cream or greek yogurt, nuts, almonds, etc - if you eat more fat and protein you will feel full and wont be longing for carby foods.
Of course not every family wants to go low carb, but as I said, sit down, talk, reach a happy medium, how nice is a roast chicken with lots of lovely low carb roast veggies, we have extra portion of chicken and veggies, they have a couple of roasties.
Try out the fritter recipes I posted with dips, hell, last week I had a house full of kids ranging from age 2 to 19 to look after, we made celeriac, vegetable and radish fritters, served with dips and ketchup, my word, we couldnt make them fast enough.
Dont go the battle alone, chances are all the family will benefit from healthier eating, get them all in in the act.
Good luck and big, big hugs to make you feel better, it will all come out in the wash is what my Mum keeps on saying when things look all bleak.