Hi! I'm new to the group even though I've had type one since I was eleven so around ten-ish years now. I'm currently in college and have received a grant to look at food as medicine traveling from China to the states, in specific how it relates with diabetes management, treatment, daily living, etc.
I was wondering if anyone would be interested in speaking about their relationship with food as medicine (or sickness) since being diagnosed. Furthermore, if anyone had used Traditional Chinese Medicine to supplement insulin?
Thanks so much!
Glad to be a part of the community!
That's an interesting project! I have always disliked that when the issue of food has come up with doctors, they usually will chat about it a bit but seem to generally use that as an opportunity to suggest visiting a dietitian. I tried that when I got "on the wagon" after years of totally winging it and, while I'd lost a bunch of weight, the RD suggested eating more food, which was exactly what I didn't want to do.
I've had some other interesting encounters with food, noticing feeling stronger running when I increased the amount of vegetables in my diet and stuff like that. It's totally subjective but I've stuck to it.
Maybe it would help if you define your use of the term food as medicine, and relationship with food.
Generally my food is for healthy meals, or enjoyment, and where possible both at the same time !
So using 'food as medicine' doesn't make sense to me, other than I take into account the impact the food will have on my BG, paired with the insulin I take.
Food as medicine comes from the philosophy of nutritional therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine. That when sick or to stay healthy the first response to always change what you're eating. When you have the flu, eat more winter melon and garlic-y foods. Ginger and peppermint for stomach aches. Using food as a first line of offense for dealing with illnesses and believing that foods have medicinal properties to aid your body.
Furthermore: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_food_therapy
Does that clarify what I am trying to convey at all?
I usually use insulin as a first line of defense by running my BG low and correcting the low with a couple of carby cocktails to create an unhealthy environment for germs.