On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 11:50:40 +1100, Alan
wrote:

Learn to Cook
It's interesting to notice, in reading the various threads on diet, that
posters here seem to fall into one of three categories:
Those who enjoy cooking; those who cannot cook;
______________________________________

and those who can cook,
but only do it because they have to.

I fall into that category.

My research after diagnosis led me to two startling revelations for an
obese T2. I needed to lose a lot of weight and I needed to control my
blood glucose. Of course, there are other factors, but those two were
paramount.

It is a never-ending task, but I believe it was much easier for me to
achieve reasonable weight and control because I am a person who enjoys
cooking. It allows me to be the one who controls what goes into the
recipe by type and quantity, to control the size of portions, and to
experiment by testing the results.

I can only imagine the stress it places on a relationship when the
diabetic is trying to tactfully tell the cook that the new dessert is
either too many carbs or so full of Splenda it tastes horrible. Or that
they now need five meals a day, and so on. Illness places enough stress
on relationships without that.

In my case I am very lucky [not really I picked her for her
'underlying traits' g] my wife is a very good cook from
the 'old school'. She never ceases to amaze me the way she
seemingly produces brilliant meals out of nothing!! There is
no way i could ever compete. Her baking is to die for. In
over 30 years together, she has onlt ever served a meal that
I refused to eat but that caused no problem since she
refused as well!!! LOL.

As I learned about foods post diagnosis, she looked upon the
sittuation as her mission to make sure I was fed correctly.
We learned together. She eats virtually the same as I do,
ammount/type/ etc. so there is no problem in catering for
differing needs. Occasionally there are slight differences
but not so's you'd notice.

There is also a continual search by non-cooks for "safe" pre-prepared
foods in the supermarket, like the pop-corn thread at the moment, or
"safe" fast foods and restaurant foods.

True IMO - we were just discussing the subject over dinner
last night.

Some people are forced to eat out, by work or local social requirement;
and fast or pre-prepared foods are convenient.

Only because they know no other way to deal with the
problem.

But I am starting to
believe that one of the best things a diabetic can do for their health
is to cook for themselves at home.

In my case I'd die of starvation VBG

Cheers Alan, T2, Oz

Pete


Diagnosed 20/03/03 Type II D&E + Metformin + Gliclazide
+ Asprin 210lbs at Dx to target 174lbs achieved.
Now 171lbs. To mail: aspen3 at freeuk.com