Sorry I missed you. I was sick last week. No, it wasn’t Covid. I tested to make sure. It was some sort of summer cold or flu. I know when I sleep a day away with chills, sweats, headache and body aches, I’m definitely sick. This is not normal behavior for me. It got me thinking... What is normal recovery for a diabetic after we’ve been sick?
We want to get better quickly and get back to normal. This probably isn’t realistic. How fast we recover really depends upon blood sugar maintenance. Unfortunately, we’ve been sick. As my mother accurately pointed out, blood sugar is an indicator of overall health.
Blood sugar is also affected by: mental health, hydration, sleep, exercise, and food. It affects not just our physical health but also our brain, mood, and personality. We can picture it like a set of scales. Instead of just two scales, there are at least six scales. If we throw any one of the scales off, our blood sugar may go low. It's more likely to act like mine and go high.
It’s hard enough to keep all these scales balanced when we’re healthy. When we’re sick, it’s just not happening. High blood sugar causes our bodies to want to flush the excess glucose out of our bodies in urine. This aids in lowering blood sugar. If we have a fever or a runny nose, it causes dehydration. Dehydration also increases hyperglycemia, so keep drinking water-based liquids and try to stay away from sweeteners.
The high blood sugar also makes us want comfort food. It may make us miss those potatoes. The starchy vegetables that come out of the ground. They usually have a higher glycemic index. Some root vegetables have some amazing benefits. They can be enjoyed in moderation.
Radishes are antifungal. The fiber in them assists the body in detoxification (getting rid of illnesses) and blood sugar control. The isothiocyanates in the radishes help the body get rid of cancer cells. They also happen to be the main ingredient in this week's recipe.
Source: "Are Radishes Good for You?"
Healthline 05/18/2018
Red Roasted Radishes…
Ingredients:
12 large radishes or 2 grocery store bundles
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic minced
1/4 teaspoon basil, dried crushed
1/4 teaspoon oregano powder
1/4 teaspoon rosemary powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions:
1.) Preheat the oven to 350°.
2.) Remove leaves, and boil the turnips for 15 minutes.
3.) Cut off the bitter pointed ends and slice them into thick slices.
4.) Mix the olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, and rosemary in a container with a lid.
5.) Add the turnips, close the container, and shake to coat.
6.) Line a baking sheet with sides with aluminum foil.
7.) Spread the turnips out on the baking sheet and coat with salt.
8.) Bake for 40 to 50 minutes.
These roasted turnips should help us with some of our starch cravings. Once we get our blood sugar back under control, we will have more energy. For anyone who isn’t diabetic, high blood sugar makes you feel like every muscle in your body is absolutely exhausted, when you’ve done nothing! This is because insulin helps get the blood sugar out of your blood and into your muscles. Your muscles are starving to death. Meanwhile it’s really hard to get anything done.
As we look around the house, we may discover we’ve gotten behind in basic chores. They will be there when we get our blood sugar back under control. Mind our mental health and don’t get down on ourselves. It is just going to take time. Instead of getting frustrated, try going for a walk or working in the garden to get some more vitamin D in our systems.
If you have a favorite dish, you would like to be diabetic friendly, just let me know by leaving a note below. I've learned how to swap blood sugar spiking ingredients for others with a lower glycemic index. It may take a week or two, but I love the challenge. Please comment, like, share, and come back next week for more recipes, ideas, and tips. Subscribe to the website, if you would like weekly email reminders to add more recipes to your recipe book.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice, but a compilation of research from medical sites. Make sure to see your doctor and have up-to-date lab work.
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