In the last nugget, we started exploring the WELLNESS treatment of diabetes and we focused upon water and exercise. Today we are going to look at Live Temperately, Lots of Fresh Air and Nutrition. Again, WELLNESS stands for water, exercise, live temperately, lots of fresh air, nutrition, entire trust in God, sunshine, and sufficient rest.

Live Temperately - avoid all tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and caffeinated products. These will only worsen your blood sugar control, add calories, destroy your health, and make you dehydrated. Temperance means avoiding that which is harmful and using wisely that which is good. So don’t overdo the good stuff.

Lots of Fresh Air - get outside in nature, take a walk, sit by a stream or waterfall, or by the ocean waves and breathe in the fresh air. Not only will you have a good oxygen source to aid in tissue healing, but the relaxation will increase your body’s release of healthy endorphins. Stress contributes to poor healing, perpetuates negative lifestyle patterns, and ultimately worsens of your diabetes. Getting out in the fresh air and in nature helps to decrease that stress.

Nutrition - this is the major area of concentration for diabetics. Contrary to popular belief, diabetics do better on a high carbohydrate diet. Research has shown that diabetics who eat a diet high in complex carbohydrates (meaning foods with lots of fiber) do better than the standard diabetic diet. Eat lots of vegetables, provisions, nuts, and seeds. Eat whole grains (such as brown rice, oats, barley, and whole wheat), and eat fruits (using sparingly the sweeter fruits). Avoid all snacking, and only eat 2, maybe 3 meals a day.

Avoid foods that are high in saturated or trans fats, and/or cholesterol as these have been shown to directly correlate with the development of diabetes. Saturated fats and cholesterol are found in animal products, whether it be beef, pork, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, cheese or butter. However, no plant products contain cholesterol, and only a few plant products contain saturated fats. However, the body does not react the same to plant-based saturated fats as it does to animal-based saturated fats. Trans fats are made when fats are heated to a high temperature and the molecular structure is changed. Other names for trans fats are shortening, margarine, and partially hydrogenated oils. Try to avoid fried foods as much as possible and steam, cook, or eat raw the vast majority of your foods.

Remember to work closely with your physician as you make these changes to avoid dangerous low blood sugar levels.

We will finish our discussion about the treatment of diabetes on the following HEALTH by the Book nugget, so stay tuned.

God bless you abundantly as you learn to live God’s WELLNESS way.