Discipline

What do you know about the plant-based diet?  I have friends who are following a strict plant-based diet, and it seems to be effecting their health in a positive way.  She has diabetes as a health marker, and she told me that her A1C (the three-month indicator of sugars in the blood stream) is now 4.9.  The desired number for someone with diabetes is under seven – or, maybe, six.  My A1C hasn’t seen seven for a long time.

My fasting blood sugars are around 100, plus or minus 15 points.  For me, that is good.  They were 145 or so each morning, and my primary care physician and I have been working steadily at getting them down.  But, whatever I did wasn’t working … until, that is, March 18.  You will remember that on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, I drove south of Pueblo ten or so miles to Gail’s place.  There, I picked up Lady Patricia, the four-year-old, white miniature schnauzer.  Since March 18, my morning fasting blood sugars have circled 100, from 80 to 112, with no change in foods, meds, or exercise.  So, I could say, to help that situation of high fasting blood sugar readings, Get A Dog!

That does not, however, solve the A1C problem.  A1C is based on the three-month overall reading of blood sugars in the blood; these cells are replaced every three months.  So, when my friends shared information about their plant-based diet, I was very interested.  My doc and I would be extremely interested if my A1C came in at less than 6; let alone, 4.9.  My head says, is that even possible?

I occasionally am able to have my friend’s miniature Australian shepherd at my house when they have places to go and things to see out of town.  So, they took me to lunch at a restaurant that they knew would have items on the menu that fit into their diet protocols.  I ordered a dish that was completely plant-based; it was delicious.  I thought (not for the first time), I wonder if I have the discipline to eat this way.  In addition, I would probably have to cook – which I decided, three and a half years ago, I would do no longer – cook, that is.  I decided then that sixty years of cooking was enough.  So, it’s not that I don’t prepare food.  I just don’t cook.  Microwave, yes.  Really cook?  No.

I’ve started researching this plant-based diet, reading books, studying the information on the internet, etc.  I asked my doc about the diet; he said it is probably the best way to eat.  And, no, I didn’t need to read books about it, but I like to read, so go ahead.  So, I will read the text that I ordered from my favorite bookseller.  The research will need to wait a bit, however.  I need to get ready to participate in a limited way in my eldest granddaughter’s high school graduation activities.  During those days, I may have time to really get into the research, find out all about the plant-based diet, study the recipes, and decide if I have the discipline to follow it.  My friend Joe says, “It’s a life style – not a religion.”

I’ll let you know what I decide.

Be safe and well.

The Cranky Crone

If you have thoughtful feedback or questions, please let me know with a comment below.