Stress, Diabetes, and Food Addiction: A Powerful Combination

March 24, 2010
Dear Diary,
Yesterday was some roller coaster, physical symptoms, emotional symptoms, it just seemed the whole world was against me. As last reported on The Diabetic Food Addict, yesterday I was on track to my first day actually meeting the requirements of a 2,000 calorie diet. I had my menu all planned making sure that I ate exactly the required exchanges from all the food groups.

Everything was rolling along smoothly, as lunch approached I removed the lid to a can of Healthy Choice Clam Chowder. Then came a knock on the door.

A neighbor who purchased a boat from me a few weeks back was having problems getting the trailer registered in his name. This was a boat I inherited from my father in-law through his will.

I panicked, realizing I had just a few minutes to go with him to the DMV to correct the issue before I had to return to work, I put the open can of soup in the refrigerator.

Driving to the DMV I was starting to stress about my food options. Remaining accurate to my 2,000 calorie diet meant I was hungry and I feared a hypoglycemic reaction if I failed to get something to eat before my afternoon shift.

My options were limited, McDonalds, Arbys, or KFC. None of which would keep me anywhere near my exchange allotment. I had a nice small pork chop thawing for supper. As I pulled into a Subway and ordered up a 6" chicken sandwich, I knew the pork chop would have to wait until tomorrow.

320 calories later I knew I was still somewhat on track. The afternoon went smoothly, but by the time I got home I was famished and starting to get a little low on sugar. In frustration I said to hell with it, and reheated some leftover chicken and gravy over a couple slices of toast. I added about a 1/2 cup of left over mustard greens as my side.

I would have been OK if I stopped at that, but no... It was off to the freezer for a cup of Rocky Road ice cream. Of course there was only a little bit more left in the carton, so I quickly polished that off too.

Feeling totally ashamed of myself I sat on the sofa in a depressed, annoyed state thinking about how hard it is to put the food aside and just stick with the program.

March 25, 2010
Without even calculating out how badly I did yesterday I just went to sleep for the night. This morning I was almost afraid to take my blood sugar for fear the damage from the ice cream last night would be there to haunt me.

Morning Statistics:
Blood Sugar 70 (Surprise, my metabolism is picking up and my blood sugar continues to drop)
Blood Pressure 125/70 (yea, it's still coming down)
Weight 138 (Yes, lost another pound)
Walked 1/2 mile

Yesterday, even with my falling off the wagon, I still remained at only 1,461 calories total for the day. I did blow the chart away concerning proper exchange allotment though. I ate 3 too many exchanges of fat, and 4 too many exchanges of meat.

So far today, I'm back on track. When you get bucked off the horse, you've just got to get right back on and keep going. That's what beating addiction is all about.