Looking for Balance in a Processed World

Plus-size and diabetes, diabetes and plus-size - it seems just about everything you read and everything you hear has to do with being plus-size and the consequences that come with that, one of them being type 2 diabetes.  It almost sounds like being plus-size is the worst thing that could happen to a person. 

However, many have come to the realization that it's not, and weight no longer has to stand in the way of being more balanced and taking care of ourselves. 

Before we can take care of ourselves, it helps to know what we are dealing with. Many plus-size women have this pattern of feeling “woozy” right after eating, or maybe a few hours after eating.  With all this talk about diabetes and size, you may wonder if you have diabetes.  Only your health care provider can tell you that.

We can tell you about insulin resistance, why it is more prevalent in plus-size people and some food choices to help you feel your best.

Insulin is a hormone produced in your pancreas.  You may think of the word insulin in relation to people who have diabetes.  The truth is, we all need insulin to help us use the food we eat for energy.  Some people make their own insulin, their bodies use it correctly, there’s a balance.  People who have type 1 diabetes are not able to make their own insulin. They must take insulin.  People who have insulin resistance need  more insulin in order to do the job of using their food for energy.  They are at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. 

Adipose cells fight the hormone insulin, hence the term insulin resistance and the need for more insulin.  Most women who are plus-size have more of these cells.  In time, due to the increased amount of insulin needed to do it’s job, women who are plus-size have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

When insulin is doing its work, it will decrease your blood glucose (sugar).  Many people find that when they make more balanced food choices they don’t get the blood sugar swings.

Carbohydrates affect blood glucose the most, causing you to need more insulin. If you already need more insulin and you eat foods that cause your blood glucose to go up quickly, you’re not going to feel good.  Sometimes you’re groggy, foggy and ready to take a nap after you eat, or maybe it hits about two hours after eating and the only pick-you-up is something sweet.  That lasts for a little while…until you get another sweet treat to get you through. 

For the most part, carbohydrates come from foods that grow in the ground; bread, cereal, sweets, fruit, vegetables, milk.   People find they feel better choosing “healthy” carbs rather than the junk food version. 

For more information, please visit:
www.mendosa.com
www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/glycemic.asp