Ready for a Change

I will embark  on a new journey today.

I am going to follow a plant based dining lifestyle for 21 days based on a book  written by Dr. Neal Bernard, Program for Reversing Diabetes.  He said: It is not a diet, just a different way of regarding food.

I have been diagnosed with Diabetes in 2000 and up to now it is still a struggle to keep my numbers down.  Of course, it is my fault that I do not watch what I eat.  I have been doctor shopping for the past 11 years but they have given me already the maximum dose of oral medications plus now, I inject insulin every night.

So, I am giving this NO ANIMAL products diet a chance.  The taste buds have a memory of about 3 weeks.  After 21 days, hopefully, I would have gotten rid of my cravings for animal products.  The Dr. also said if I want to continue after the trial period, it is my choice to do so.

I never thought I would consider this option in my wildest imagination but based on the testimonies of the people who have tried the program, it really worked for them and were able to maintain a normal blood glucose reading.

Dr. Bernard said : You will never go hungry and never tease yourself with miniscule portion of food.

I would rather focus on what I can eat rather on the food I cannot eat.  In case you are wondering what I should avoid ......

Vegan - They contain no animal products.  This means no meat, fish, dairy products, or eggs - not even a little bit. The idea is to clean animal fat, animal protein and cholesterol out of your diet.

I am allowed to eat  Four Food Groups.

Vegetables: Sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, spinach, squash, green beans, bok choy, etc.  Suggested servings: 4 or more per day. A serving is 1 cup raw or 1/2 cup cooked vegetables.

Fruits: Apples, bananas, grapes, pears, oranges, berries, etc.  Suggested servings: 3 or more per day. One serving is one piece of fruit, 1/2 cup chopped, or 1/2 cup cooked fruit or juice.







Whole Grains:   Whole grain pasta, brown rice, corn, bran cereal, oatmeal, pumpernickel or rye bread, couscous, etc.  The suggested serving is 8 per day.  One serving is 1/2 cup cooked grain (e.g. oatmeal or pasta), 1 ounce dry cereal, or 1 slice bread.



Legumes: Beans, peas, lentils, soy products, etc. Suggested servings: 3 per day. One serving is 1/2 cup cooked, 4 ounces tofu or 8 oz. soy milk.



Ideally, I should fill a quarter of my plate with legumes, a quarter of my plate with starch and half a plate of vegetables.  The nice thing about this is I do not have to count calories or portion control. Dr. Bernard said I can have more if I want to but the high fiber food content would be so heavy already I would not want more.  Let us see if this is true.

I know I can do this.  People seem to forget I have the ability to do, COLD TURKEY.  12 years ago I said to myself I would stop smoking and I did.  A year and a half ago, I stopped drinking soda.  Even if I am with people who smoke or drink Coke, I do not get envious.

The most exciting part in all these is the experimenting with recipes which are healthy but flavorful!  I enjoyed my grocery shopping and I hope I can whip up something that will excite my palate.

I need the help and support of everybody so I could do this. It will be very hard for me but I want to live a healthier lifestyle.

I am ready for a change!!!