For many people living with diabetes, pain becomes an unwelcome daily companion. Sometimes it starts slowly burning in the feet, tingling in the toes, numbness in the hands, or leg cramping that wakes you in the middle of the night. Other times it feels like stabbing, electric, or shooting pain that comes without warning. This kind of nerve pain is often called diabetic neuropathy. Neuropathy happens when high blood sugar over time damages the nerves, especially in the feet,

A Conversation Between a Caregiver and a Loved One With Diabetes Diabetes affects more than blood sugar. It affects energy. It affects emotions. It affects communication. It affects marriages. It affects families. Many people think diabetes is only about food, insulin, and glucose numbers. But those living with diabetes—and those caring for someone with diabetes—know it affects so much more. It can create fear. Frustration. Exhaustion. Misunderstanding. Loneliness. Sometimes

Recently, I created a Pinterest pin that feels deeply personal to me. At first glance, it may look like a beautiful image with soft colors, a swirl of light, and different scenes representing important roles in my life. But to me, it means much more. It tells my story. For over 40 years, diabetes has touched my life in just about every way imaginable. I am not diabetic myself. But I have lived alongside diabetes for decades. As a nurse, I have cared for countless patients liv

Food has always been tied to love, celebration, comfort, and connection. Family cookouts. Church potlucks. Holiday gatherings. Birthday parties. Sunday lunches. Dinner with friends. Food brings people together. That is why changing the way you eat can sometimes feel difficult. Whether you are trying to lower carbs, support better blood sugar, lose weight, reduce inflammation, or simply make healthier choices, gatherings can feel challenging. You may look at the table and see

When many people think about diabetes nutrition, the first thing they think about is carbohydrates. And yes, carbohydrates matter because they usually raise blood sugar the fastest. But diabetes nutrition is about much more than just counting carbs. Protein matters. Fats matter. Food quality matters. Balance matters. For many years, people were taught that fat was bad. We were told to buy low-fat foods, fat-free foods, and avoid fat whenever possible. Unfortunately, many of t

Preparing for Difficult Days With Faith and Wisdom Sometimes emotions feel like riding a seesaw. There are moments when life feels balanced. We feel calm, strong, and able to think clearly. During those times, making good choices often feels easier. Then there are other moments when life shifts quickly. Stress rises. Fatigue sets in. Emotions feel heavy. The balance changes, and suddenly even simple decisions feel much harder. I think most of us know what that feels like. In

There was a time in my life when food became comfort. Not nourishment. Not fuel. Comfort. When I was depressed, overwhelmed, grieving, or emotionally and physically exhausted, food often became something I leaned on. Food felt easy. Food asked nothing from me. I didn’t have to talk to it. I didn’t have to explain myself. I didn’t have to tell it why I was hurting, exhausted, overwhelmed, or sad. For a moment, food felt like comfort. It felt like relief.

Many people living with diabetes also live with high blood pressure. In fact, these two conditions often go hand in hand. When blood sugars stay elevated over time, the heart, kidneys, blood vessels, and nerves can all be affected. This is one reason why managing diabetes is about much more than simply watching glucose numbers. One thing I have seen over many years of nursing is that when people begin moving toward a more natural low-carb lifestyle, many start seeing improvem

Many people with diabetes have stomach problems such as bloating, gas, cramping, nausea, or diarrhea. Their first thought is often, “It must be my diabetes.” Sometimes diabetes can affect digestion, but diabetes is not always the reason. Sometimes the problem may be: • Lactose intolerance • Medication side effects • Another medical condition Lactose intolerance happens when your body does not make enough of the enzyme needed to break down lactose, which is the natural sugar f

I have been seeing many posts lately sharing studies that claim this medication or that supplement is the best way to manage diabetes—as if everyone should fit into one singular mold. After many years in nursing, I can tell you with confidence that healthcare simply does not work that way. I have never seen a medication, treatment plan, or dietary approach that is truly “one size fits all.” Yes, research matters. Studies matter. Medical advancements matter. But we also need

If you are living with diabetes—whether Type 1 or Type 2—you have probably heard a lot of advice from family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers. Some of it may come from a place of love. Some of it may come across as criticism. "Get your life together." "You need to change your diet." "Why did you let this happen?" While those words may be painful to hear, I want you to consider something. The people saying these things are often afraid too. They may be worried about you

One of the most common questions people with diabetes ask during a hospital stay is, "If I have diabetes, why am I being served so many carbohydrates?" Many hospitalized patients receive a consultation with a Registered Dietitian. The dietitian's role is to assess nutritional needs and help create a meal plan that supports healing, recovery, and overall health. In many hospitals, this results in a "consistent carbohydrate" meal plan rather than a low-carbohydrate meal plan. A

This sauce goes beautifully with the Enchilada recipe I've posted. INGREDIENTS 3 Cups of unsalted chicken broth (I used better than Boullion) 3 Tablespoons tomato paste 1 Bay leaf 2 Teaspoon ground cumin 1 Teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 Teaspoon salt 1/2 Teaspoon granulated garlic (I used garlic powder) 1/2 Teaspoon onion powder 1/2 Teaspoon Stevia 1/4 Teaspoon Chipotle Chili powder (I used regular chili powder) 1/4 Teaspoon Instant coffee powder 1/16 Teaspoon ground cloves 1/16

When many people are first diagnosed with diabetes, one of the first thoughts that comes to mind is, "Why me?" Whether you are diagnosed as a child, a teenager, a young adult, or later in life, hearing the words "You have diabetes" can be overwhelming. Suddenly there are new medications, blood sugar checks, doctor appointments, meal planning, and concerns about the future. It can feel as though your body has changed overnight. The truth is that diabetes affects everyone a lit

One of the most common questions people with diabetes ask is, "What is neuropathy?" In simple terms, neuropathy is nerve damage. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the small nerves throughout the body, especially in the feet and legs. Think of nerves as the body's electrical wiring. When those wires become damaged, messages between your brain and different parts of your body may not travel correctly. The good news is that not everyone with diabetes develops neuropa