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Struggling

purplepenguin

Well-Known Member
Messages
319
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I lost two stone last year on a low carb diet and dropped my HBA1c from 83 to 62 in three months. Since then, I've been living with my parents, which has meant I've been pretty much limited on what I can eat due to mum's house rules, her unwielding desire to cook for us and the lack of fridge space. Not to mention there are trigger foods all over the place, which would never have existed in my house, and I'm struggling to avoid them. I've been putting off the test but had it yesterday and am dreading the results.
I won't be moving out until April but really need to get a grip. Just a rant really but if anyone has any suggestions about how to change things then they'll be greatly appreciated.
 
Parents eh? Would mum relinquish the kitchen one night a week so you can cook for her as a treat? Lets you have at least one low carb dinner a week...
Have you discussed the trigger food issue? Could she be pursued to keep them in one location so they are away from you?
Do they understand why you want to eat your way?
 
Hello

Not wanting to sound dictatorial, but you have to state your case, it all comes down to how you say it and allow time for the message to sink in. There is nothing more you can do without hurting those who support you, not something I envy you for.

As for trigger foods, this is your own choice, you have done a fantastic job heading the right way, keep it going and keep strong.

The suggestion of you taking a turn to cook is fantastic as showing what low carb can be like. Other than that you can portion control what is safe

be awesome
 
Can you purchase a small dorm fridge to keep in your room so you can have some cold meats, cheeses, hard boiled eggs on hand? Or there has to be a small space in the household fridge for that small stuff?

I too would explain the importance of needing to eat the right way and it’s not your choice.
 

I think the only way to solve this problem is you need to educate your family about diabetes and why you need to go low carbs. Most people do not take this serious enough (luckily my family take this serious enough that all of us agree to go low carbs forever)
 
If your Hba1c is raised - which it may well be, you should explain to your mother that it is because of the foods you are eating - I don't mean point the finger at her and cry 'it is all your fault' but show her the results and explain it is down to the foods you have been eating, and that by April you expect it will be even worse.
Yes it is emotional blackmail - but the point does have to be made or all your progress will be lost.
 
Thank you all for your replies. I will have a chat with mum, as I know she is only trying to be kind and enjoy having me home for a bit. She’s a chef so I’m hoping she’ll enjoy the challenge of making low card food.

Merry Christmas to you all
 

I totally feel for you, I'm already dreading trying to stay on the straight and narrow just for 3 days when I visit my mum over Christmas.

If you can find a way to gently make her understand how important it is, that's the best option I think.

Failing that, I think the idea of a small fridge above is a good one. That's what I'd be doing if I was living with my mum now. She doesn't even have to know about it, does she!? Or maybe if she DID know about it, that would help her realise how important it is to you.

If you Google for 'desktop fridge' and 'mini oven with hob' it's quite possible to store and cook your own food on just one small tabletop in the corner of a room. That's what I did when I was a student, but then I didn't have the worry of offending my mum!
 
Here's a thought: get some of the foodstuffs that you know are safe for you and show them to your mum. *Tell* her that this is what you are allowed to eat (no negotiation), then *ask for her expertise* as a chef as to what she'd recommend doing with them.
 
Thank you everyone for your advice. Got my results back and they were as bad as I thought, 80.
Mum overheard me talking to the diabetes nurse on the phone, which sparked a conversation about food. I think we may have an understanding now. She keeps asking questions which can only be a good thing.

Now to get through Christmas without eating all the wonderfully delicious but killer foods. So thankful for the amount of cheese we have here, and the cold meats.
 
Glad she's asking the questions, hope she takes it on board. Merry Christmas.
 
The good thing is, you don't even need a fridge this time of year to keep a stock of food you can raid when you need to distract yourself from the food you don't want to eat. You only need a box with a lid and put it outside your window or door!
 
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