Living with diabetes is much like bouldering or rock climbing. Sometimes, you find all the perfect handholds and footholds to reach the top easily. Other days, you’re faced with unfamiliar holds or supports that feel inadequate, and you’re stuck halfway to the top.
Managing diabetes can pose a similar challenge. Some days, you nail all your carb counts and achieve 100% time in range, while other days, the carb counts don’t quite fit. A large part of accurate carb counting is having the right resources, just as a large part of climbing is having the right holds. This is especially true when thinking about foods that are an important part of someone’s culture, but might be challenging to navigate with diabetes.
Maybe CalorieKing or another nutrition app. Oftentimes, however, these resources don’t have adequate information for cultural foods. Just as inadequate holds in climbing can be frustrating, a lack of culturally appropriate resources can create similar frustration in managing blood sugars. Luckily, with peer support through Subtle Asian Diabetics, Diversity in Diabetes, and The Diabetes Link, I have found people of similar backgrounds who have had similar experiences. They’re the perfect “holds” and provide the best support!
Just like in climbing, my best advice is to try, try, and try again! Trial and error can be your best friend when you’re living with diabetes and trying to balance foods that are important to your cultural background and identity! Be patient with yourself, and also keep in mind that blood sugars vary day by day. Three units for a bowl of ramen one day might cover it, but another day the same 3 units won’t, and blood sugars will skyrocket to 300s! Learn from your highs and lows.
That being said, trial and error in diabetes is always easier said than done. Eating cultural foods that fluctuate blood sugars can induce guilt and frustration. Combined with family dynamics, like being from a cultural background where not eating meals cooked for you can be portrayed as disrespectful, can have a negative effect on mental health and sense of identity. I promise you aren’t alone.
People of color living with diabetes are often underrepresented in research and the community, but the more we advocate, the more visibility and equity we can promote. With the right tools and support, we can all climb to the top (of our diabetes management)!