Tuesday, 29th July 2014 (North Side, Anguilla) — As readers may have noticed, I haven’t published an opinion-editorial since mid-June 2014. That’s because my mind has been in lockdown contemplating many sobering thoughts regarding life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I believe The Great Spirit has given me writer’s block so I could work on moving myself forward towards a healthier, more holistic lifestyle. That’s not easy to do in this day and age with all the influences around us.
If I’d been concentrating on my writing, I’d have been caught up in a passionate activity that I love to do. Probably then, I wouldn’t have taken the time in all earnestness to contemplate actually changing my lifestyle.
Now I’ll write about how I’m making some significant changes in my life in order to encourage others in our Anguilla community to consider doing the same.
Focussing attention on healthy living
We all should want to raise our conscious awareness on creating healthier lifestyles to sustain our minds, bodies and souls. That’s what I’ve been doing over the past few months – focussing attention on moving towards developing more sustainable healthy living habits that support my own wellness and well being.
One of the things I’ve been examining in depth is changing my diet, what I eat and drink. I’m actually thinking of going completely vegan (no animal and/or dairy products, no sugar except what is naturally present in foods and beverages). Some of my friends whom I’ve spoken with don’t understand why I want to make this choice when they already witness that I consume more fruits and vegetables than chicken and chips.
The truth is that I’m making this change for my health’s sake because I’ve seen the ravishing effects that diabetes has taken on people who I care about. My aim is change to a vegan diet and, thereby, significantly reduce my chances of a medical doctor giving me a diabetic diagnosis.
How diabetes impacts our lives
Most adults know diabetes (sugar) runs rampart in our island-wide community and globally in other countries. Many of us either suffer from high blood sugar levels or know someone who does. We probably have all observed declining health conditions and medical complications experienced by family members and friends who have been diagnosed as diabetic.
Diabetes is a serious “dis-ease” of the body that affects the absorption of insulin into the cells. Not many people really comprehend what causes diabetes. However, I want to recommend a book that will give the reading audience a greater understanding of the causes of diabetes, and how to reverse sugar levels and improve insulin’s action in the body.
Some research on reversing diabetes
To educate myself on how best to change my eating habits and improve my body’s health, I recently completed reading Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes (© 2007 published by Rodale Inc., New York, New York distributed by Macmillan). The book is a recommended read by the naturopathic physician whom I consult at the Wedgewood Center for Natural Medicine in Seattle, Washington (USA).
In this health literature by Neal D. Barnard, MD, with menus and recipes by Bryanna Clark Grove, a scientifically proven system for reversing diabetes without drugs is provided.
Those who wish can learn how to reduce or eliminate insulin dependent medications by maintaining a vegan diet.
This diet programme gives excellent advice for those who want to eat in a healthier style that will help significantly lower their bodies’ blood sugar levels. The book has a chapter addressed to clinicians for healthcare providers who want more details.
Dr Barnard explains in his book that it’s essentially fat accumulated inside cells which interferes with our bodies’ insulin action. He gives a simple explanation that is easy even for a child to understand.
In a layperson’s terms, it’s similar to a lock that has chewing gum in it and cannot be unlocked. If there’s too much fat in the cells, then the insulin floats throughout the bloodstream instead of being absorbed into the cells where it efficiently works to control blood glucose.
A vegan diet to help control or reverse diabetes
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends reducing certain foods as well as calorie intake in the diet to counter rising blood sugar levels. In my opinion, the ADA diet does not adequately address the real underlying symptoms of diabetes. It’s like merely putting a dressing on an open wound that really needs stitches.
I know of individuals whose weight continues to escalate and whose sugar levels are not properly controlled by medication or by adhering to a prescribed diet. So what I’m suggesting as a person who’s concerned about maintaining good health is that we explore other options.
By changing our diets and eliminating foods that add fat to our bodies’ already overloaded cells, we might have greater success stories to share. According to medical research, a vegan diet does just that and it’s an alternative solution highly recommended by some healthcare practitioners.
In Dr Barnard’s book, he states that controlled studies have shown how a vegan diet is used to lower blood sugar levels even without increasing the level of exercise of the test patients. Exercise is important, but the scientists/medical doctors wanted to isolate the real effects of diet change alone.
What is a vegan diet?
Vegan means eating no animal products at all. For this kind of diet to work effectively, we have to get rid of all the meat, poultry, fish, dairy, and sugar products that we normally consume.
Many of us have grown up accustomed to eating and drinking foods and beverages that we may perceive have nutritional value, but really do not. We continue to put these items into our mouths without thinking of the positive or negative impact they have on our bodies’ health and wellness.
For example, we believe that some sugars are better than others. Stevia versus artificial sweeteners, organic cane sugar vs. high fructose corn syrup, honey or maple syrup instead of white refined sugar, or liquid Agave in place of raw or Demerara sugar. But sugar is sugar no matter what form it comes in and it’s very addictive.
What we don’t realise is how unhealthy most of the foods we eat are for our bodies. Even fats in vegetable oils, nuts and avocados have to be reduced for the vegan diet programme that Dr Barnard recommends. All of these fatty foods are scientifically proven to adversely impact the ability of insulin to work effectively in the body.
What about a vegetarian diet?
Some individuals may opt to choose a vegetarian diet eliminating meat and poultry. Vegetarians may eat fish and dairy products, which are constituted as animal products.
Going vegan means a person eats no meats, no poultry, and no dairy what soever. Thus he/she reduces the body’s cells fat intake.
How to create a healthier lifestyle
This change of moving towards a healthier lifestyle has meant seriously examining the kinds of foods and beverages that I eat and drink. I still have cravings for chocolate, sweets, and other things I know don’t have any real nutritional value.
Yet, most of the time, I’m learning to steer clear of consuming items that do serious damage to my health. It’s a slow process of changing and breaking myself of old habits and tastes.
First, I suggest we begin by getting rid of unhealthy foods and beverages we have at home. If we can’t afford to give them away to a food bank, then share them with family and friends.
Start making a mental list of all kinds of healthy consumables. Check the ingredients listed under nutritional facts on packaged foods. Pay special attention to the percentage of saturated fat, sodium and sugars. We’ll want to buy foods that have a low daily value for these ingredients and which are high in fibre.
As a substitute to replace meats and poultry, I use Nasoya organic tofu purchased at JW Proctor’s and season it with curry powder, onions, garlic, ginger, sweet peppers, and other seasonings. Then steam tofu with fresh locally grown Chinese cabbage (Bok or Pak Choy) from Jerome Richardson’s Island Greens Farm to make a nice healthy dish or I make a curry using eggplant instead of chicken.
For a snack, I munch on Seapoint Farms Energy Blend of roasted, lightly salted soybeans (edamame), dried cranberries, almonds, and pumpkin kernels found at MegaSavers. I also like Rubschlager black rye bread bought at Best Buy. Pop a slice in the toaster, brown, and top with Sabra roasted garlic or spinach and artichoke hummus (ground chickpea paste) or use Toufayan multigrain pita bread for veggie sandwiches.
Some vegetarian products are not vegan
In checking out the ingredients of Morning Star veggie burgers, I noted this product line contains egg whites and sugar. So I know they’re off the list of foods that I’ll buy at the supermarket.
Of course, I make it my business to read food labels to determine whether or not the products are vegan. I also check for preservatives, food colouring, and other added unhealthy ingredients. Yet I cannot always avoid them.
Eating foods that are nutritious
Changing our mindset and how our bodies have been programmed to eat foods that aren’t nutritious is not necessarily an easy task. Nevertheless, it can be accomplished with determination, willpower, and perseverance.
Always ask ourselves before we consume something, “Is it vegan, vegetarian or plant source based? Is it nutritious for my body?” If it isn’t, then consider leaving it on the plate or in the glass, at the counter, or on the shelf.
Whole, natural and raw foods are always better for our bodies. Eat plenty of fresh green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, legumes, and grains. Rice and pasta are allowed as a part of a vegan diet. Stay away from wheat and white breads/flour as they convert easily to sugar. Choose root vegetables like beets, carrots, dasheen, and yam rather than Irish potatoes.
When we slip up with eating or drinking something not necessarily healthy for us, we do our best to compensate by eating more healthily next time around. Keep encouraging ourselves to make wiser choices.
Let our family and friends know we’re on a specific diet, and what we can and cannot eat or drink. When eating out at a restaurant, don’t hesitate to let the chef or wait staff know exactly what are our dietary choices. Ask if food can be prepared in a way that suits our vegan/vegetarian taste buds.
For recipes that will boldly brighten up our ordinary menu plans, read Chef Bryant Terry’s book, Vegan Soul Kitchen (© 2009 published by Da Capo Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA). Go online and check out the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine 21-Day Vegan KickStart at http://pcrm.org/kickstartHome.
Be kind to your mind, body and soul
I hope through these words of mine to encourage individuals to seek alternate solutions for reversing the harmful effects of hereditary, chronic, or debilitating diseases like cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and heart problems.
Be mindful to ask for medical opinions from trained healthcare providers. Yet do our research and be responsible for our own health. Recognise what foods work best for our bodies’ optimum nutrition.
Like I’ve said before, we must be the instruments of change that we envision and do what we can to move ourselves and our nation forward. May God’s divine grace continue to inspire us to create healthy living, healthy eating, and healthy lifestyle practices, so that we thrive and flourish abundantly!
Kay M. Ferguson is a health-conscious writer who is working towards creating a sustainable vegan diet for her health’s sake. To link with Kay, e-mail her at anguillawriter@gmail.com. Send an e-message via www.facebook.com/kaymferguson or tweet @kaykayferguson.
