On Feb 23, 2020, I was diagnosed with diabetes 2 and have to learn how to monitor it along with weight loss monitoring. Upon researching it and talking with a nutritionist, I have found it best to tailor my monitoring to myself as a unique person [all people are unique].
Upon being introduced to the “My Plate”, I found it confusing and very unhelpful. It might help if you only ate one meal a day, but that for me is impossible. It simply did not work for 3 meals with 3-4 carbs a day especially when milk, fruits, and some vegetables are carbs as well as some sauces and condiments [bbq and sweet & sour sauce as well as pancake syrup].
Therefore, I looked at a lot of pyramids and exchange lists. They pretty much include much of the same stuff, but have some differences. Therefore, I decided to tailor my diabetic monitoring specifically for myself. To add to the difficulty, I have to loose a lot of weight and am sedate in life style. I have not explored exercises tailored to me yet. That is next.
Research on diabetes has explained to me that each person is different and what works for one person might not work for another person. It is like taking a course of study [Biologic Chemistry] in college. If anyone says it is simple and just do what a nutritionist says [or your doctor], they are wrong. It is not easy, especially, if you cook for one person and don’t actually cook, but mostly microwave.
Commitment, discipline, and consistency are not simple to learn either especially when you are use to eating foods as you want when you want. Also, if you get limited foods, you want them to taste good. The sauces cost you carbs or other food groups. IT IS NOT SIMPLE or EASY!
By the way, I have to watch consumption of soybean, garlic, and salt. Grapefruit is out because it conflicts with other medications. Salt is also bad because of water retention and blood pressure let alone it retains body weight when too much salt is used.