My first introduction to lifestyle medicine and plant-based eating was before CT Lifestyle Medicine opened. I was Catherine’s manager at the hospital, and she came to my office and said to me: “I believe I can help you improve your life and health. There is another option to help control your diabetes besides traditional medicine. Not cure, [as I am a Type 1.5], but manage it.”
Catherine told me about the book Mastering Diabetes and started bringing me green smoothies to try. She would stop by my office occasionally and just start talking about the importance of a plant-based diet and health benefits of lifestyle medicine.
Catherine trickled the information to me over time. I have to say, I listened but…
I didn’t totally understand or believe in diet and lifestyle helping my diabetes
Having been a nurse for 30 years, working in coronary care and being a diabetes educator at one point, I didn’t think lifestyle medicine could help.
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 40 years old. There’s a strong family history of diabetes and heart disease. My father died young and I’m the youngest of 8 siblings. So I thought my fate was sealed. Living in fear of disability, illness and death.
I’ve also struggled with weight my entire life. I was active and played sports but was always a “bigger girl”. As a child, I ate traditional eggs or cereal for breakfast, sandwich, fruit and chips for lunch and meat, potatoes and vegetables with a small dessert, like jello or pudding, for dinner.
I tried all the fads over the years to get my weight down and feel better: the Mediterranean diet, Atkins diet, low-carb, Weight Watchers and even hypnosis. None of it helped.
When I first became diabetic I would eat to control my sugars which started the rollercoaster ride of managing weight, blood sugars and A1c. Then during the pandemic, when my weight was the lowest (certainly not the healthiest way), I started to feel sick: laggy, foggy and tired all the time.
My youngest daughter and I watched Forks over Knives and she wanted to be vegan. She ate very little meat and I worried she would not be getting enough vitamins, protein or be healthy. By this time CT Lifestyle Medicine was open and I made an appointment with Catherine and Dr. Patel.
My first appointment with CT Lifestyle Medicine was life altering
What impressed us both the most was the way they met us where we were at. They didn’t push anything and explained the 6 pillars of Lifestyle Medicine and the importance of each for our health. Catherine again showed me the Mastering Diabetes book, asked me to read it so we could discuss it. This time I did.
They eliminated my fears of a no-meat diet for my daughter. The journey started with two of my daughters and myself. I kept making meat for my husband and the rest of the family.
Getting over the fears of eating potatoes and oatmeal was hard
But Dr. Patel or Catherine were available for me as I navigated through my sugar lows and highs. I kept track of how my body was adjusting and the insulin resistance and I can easily eat starch now without a problem. I’m happy to report that I decreased my insulin by 30 units per day by eating starches!
The second hurdle was learning how to cook, shop and plan. It was not easy, as it was different from how I was used to feeding my family. I still stumble but every day gets better and easier. It took two years to have my entire family see the benefits of a wholefood plant-based diet and healthy living. But now we all eat mostly whole food plant-based – and feel great!
Finally – the community I am now a part of with CT Lifestyle Medicine gives me purpose, joy and tremendous gratitude
The people, especially Catherine and Dr. Patel, enriched me and provided me with the opportunity to live a long and healthy life with diabetes.