Eat What You Love!

Most people recently get really upset when they are diagnosed with diabetes.  However, it is not "the end of the world" when it comes to never eating the foods you like again!  While I am not a doctor, treating diabetes  is all about portion control, being aware of what you are eating, and getting enough exercise.  The library has many books on good diets for diabetics and we have recently received another excellent one.  Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat with Diabetes:  A Mindful Eating Program for Thriving with Prediabetes or Diabetes by Dr. Michelle May is a wonderful book that aims to help diabetics feel better and make sensible (but enjoyable) food choices.  Dr. May's dedication page sums up the whole premise of the book, "May these words unlock the prison of restrictive eating and open the door to mindful diabetes care."  Dr. May teaches the reader how to practice "mindful eating," which is, in a nutshell, teaching the diabetic to not follow rigid nutrition rules and strict exercise regimes but rather making them aware of their beliefs, thoughts, and physical states in order to enable long-term lifestyle changes.  This book is great for any person trying to maintain a healthy weight, because it really does teach practical tools that anyone can use.  The biggest plus in this book is that it teaches the reader to be more aware of what, when and how he/she eats so that he/she can increase his/her satisfaction from the whole experience of eating and ultimately eat less and healthier foods.  There are also chapters on strenth training and the types of food diabetics should eat, and a wonderful chapter on stretching and "mindful movement."  This is a very well-rounded book that would be perfect for the newly-diagnosed diabetic or anyone struggling with this disease.