Mindful Eating on the Diabetes Rollercoaster: A Guide to Balanced Treating
January 25, 2024
The concept of mindful eating first came to me through the pages of a book, where the author detailed a silent meditation retreat. There, amidst the stillness, he experienced the art of being fully present with each bite—savoring the flavors, textures, and the very act of eating. This approach, which emphasizes awareness, seemed alien to me, especially when juxtaposed against the backdrop of managing diabetes, where a 3 AM hypoglycemic event demands a rapid response, not a meditative one.
This notion isn’t just a practice; it’s a lifeline for someone like me, juggling the ever-present awareness of blood sugar levels that can plummet in the night. I’ve found myself too many times in the quiet of the night, blood sugar dropping, feeling desperate. The frenzy to correct a hypo can lead to a flurry of cookies and milk—fast and furious consumption without a second thought. But this pattern often leads to the roller coaster that no diabetic wants to ride: the soaring highs after the crashing lows.
When blood sugar dips, a primal part of me takes over. The well-intentioned advice to consume a measured amount of carbohydrates and wait patiently before rechecking feels impractical when your body is screaming for immediate action. Once the panic subsides, I’m left with regret and a blood sugar reading that’s shot through the roof.
My own experience with diabetes was foreshadowed by my sister’s struggles. Her intense reactions during hypos were harrowing and confusing to witness as a child. It wasn’t until my own diagnosis at 14 that I understood the gravity of these episodes. Feeling every low has been a silent blessing that I’ve come to cherish, as the thought of lacking this awareness is truly terrifying.
Interoception, or the sense of understanding and responding to internal cues, has become integral to my diabetes care and Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) technology has been a game-changer, serving as a vigilant guardian against the stealthy approach of hypoglycemia.
Mindful eating is about more than just enjoying food; it’s about making conscious decisions, especially during hypoglycemic events. It’s about slowing down, not over-treating, and sticking to a plan. For me, that means reaching for organic fruit snacks or honey sticks—chosen not just for their carb content but for their clean ingredients.
Looking back, I realize how certain habits formed around my sister’s and my experiences with diabetes in school. The well-intentioned soda remedy provided by our school nurse was a quick fix, but not a mindful one.
Today, at HTU, we focus on growth and awareness. It’s not about correcting past wrongs; it’s about making informed choices in the present. Mindful eating reintroduces interoception, allowing us to make choices that support our well-being, rather than perpetuating a cycle of extremes.
It’s a path that steers us clear of that dizzying roller coaster of highs and lows, guiding us towards a balanced life with diabetes, one mindful bite at a time.