Variety is the key

Someone asks:

I heard salmon fish is good. What do you think?

It depends.

Ohhh heard soy products can help in preventing cancer and allergies. What is your view?

It depends.

I heard broccolis are good. That is why I take them every day for my three meals. Good for me, right?

It depends.

I bought this Manuka Honey with an expensive price. I know it is a pure honey, good for my digestion. It can't be wrong.

It depends.

There is rarely a same diet for two individuals. And of course, there is no one food that gives you the best.

Variety is the key to health. Whenever someone recommends you a new diet or food, keep in mind that variety is the key. There is no super food in this world which, when you only eat that, you get all the benefits that you want. No matter it is a protein based, carbohydrate based or a healthy fat based, keep your micronutrients proportion correct and consume a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. 

Please try out variety first, before you start considering: If I am insufficient, there is always a supplement for me. I was thinking like this earlier on, at the end of the day, I seriously became lazier to start getting my nutrients from real food. Please do enjoy real foods people!

Online community support

I still can remember the time when I decided to message Scott's Diabetes's Facebook page was when I seriously thought that T1DM had ruined my life. I don't have family or friends that can understand how I feel (at that time, I do not know any of the T1Ds in Malaysia yet). That night, I was so damn emotional after my mom and my brother were sort of like blaming me for not taking care of myself, causing hypoglycemia to happen. I love my mom whole heartedly for she is the one who loves me more than herself, takes care of me, cried with me when I fell apart because of T1DM (Okay, crying is good as it helped us both feel relieved). 

But, that night. I was feeling so isolated that nobody truly understands how I feel, even my mom. With all new friends, new tasks, new environment in University, I strived, I tried hard to do well in diabetes management. Every day I wake up thinking about diabetes and I end my day on the bed thinking about diabetes. 

I attend a class, thinking about it.

I go on stage for presentation, thinking about it. 

I walk to the bus stop, thinking about it.

I go for swimming, thinking about it.

I approach the lecturer, thinking about it.

I do discussions with friends, thinking about it.

When I sit for an exam, I will think about it before I go into the exam hall, during the exam, after the exam.

And when I carelessly don't think about it, that is when the stupid-iest thing would happen.

I felt so heartwarming after talking to Scott, though it was only just a few sentences. Suddenly all of my stupid, strange, unusual actions make reasonable in the eyes of T1Ds. Thank you, Scott. Thanks to the awesome Online Community Support and all the wonderful T1D bloggers out there!

I will never ever like diabetes, for all that it has done for me. 

But, I choose and I learn to live with it until...... A CURE is found one day. 

Food for Thought

I really don't mind working 10 hours a day if I can get back something good in return.

Either is money, friendship, knowledge or reputation. Of course the two latter one are what I matter the most now.

The money will come when you have the experiences. So, bear in mind: Everyday, I might get back something of the above four from that particular boss or company or client. And of course, I must get these four in an incremental basis. Today must be more than yesterday. If not, find alternatives.

Search for FOOD, even when you're hungry. Not when you're already starving.

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Currently I am figuring out the best practical way to lose weight. Have been reading other blogs about weight loss. All are about "Mindful eating", "Eat Nutrient-densed food", "Eat more, exercise more", "Rebel dieting" and etc. Talking about all measures, but rarely about intense calorie counting. 

Seriously have to figure out a better way of channelling my ideas to patients/clients' head. I have already encountered one uncle today, whom the moment he knew I am dietitian, he said: "Oh no, she will be asking me to stop eating all my favourite food and drinks. Like that I can't enjoy my life anymore la." 

Uncle, I am not here to make your life miserable. Never. Nutrition has always been colourful and I will never change the way nutrition looks! I am not here to sell you a product or supplement. I am here to sell you my knowledge, rather than my service. I sell you Food for THOUGHT.