Sticking to Positive Nutrition Habits Can Be a Struggle

I have struggled to eat healthily all my life. So when I tell you that eating right can be a struggle, I'm not kidding. From being a kid when my parents chose the foods we'd eat to being on my own, where I went a little wild, I know how hard it is.

My eating habits as a child

Growing up, I ate healthier regarding sweets and things, but my parents loved fried foods. On the other hand, I ate more vegetables on a normal schedule. We only had fast food about once a week. But even then, it was a struggle to maintain a healthy weight. I wasn't obese or anything, but I wasn't fit either. Sure, I had more exercise in school and even at home.

Southern cooking

The problem is, while we ate a lot of veggies, we also ate a lot of fried foods and bread. My mom was a world-class baker when it came to buttermilk biscuits. Living in the South, we often had things like fried fish, fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, and other classic Southern meals.

Moving out set me free, or did it?

Once I married and moved out, I made some bad decisions regarding nutrition. Now, I had the freedom to choose my own meals, eat out when I wanted, and have sweets when I craved them. This was not beneficial for me, and I started gaining weight. I also got much less exercise. Sure, I'd join a gym or participate in some fitness classes with friends, but I didn't make a habit out of these activities.

What causes type 2 diabetes?

It's ironic. I was reading some stories shared by people with type 2 diabetes who were physically fit, or lead healthy lifestyles. It may be hard to know if being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is because of genetics or lifestyle factors. It could be a combination of both.¹

It was shocking to me how some people were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes even while doing many things the "right way." One person was even an avid cyclist who accomplished endurance runs. Another didn't eat red meat and wasn't overweight, yet he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Eating right can be a struggle

Sometimes, you may eat right, but not often enough. I found out that eating smaller meals throughout the day is better for me. That's not always easy to do, but it does work on helping me lose weight.

The point is that there may not be a one-size-fits-all approach to preventing type 2 diabetes or managing it. You may not eat red meat, exercise a lot, and eat a lot of vegetables and still get type 2 diabetes.

Of course, all of these things mentioned are good for you, it's just finding the right balance. I still struggle to eat right. I'll choose veggie tots instead of fries, yet when consumed in excess, they have more calories than a regular order of fries from a major fast food chain.

But it's a start. The more veggies I get used to eating, the better I'll be in the long run. And that is an essential start on my journey.