diabetes, habits, and food

mentioned a few weeks ago that I read it takes 66 days to form a new habit. I have now been eating fewer carbs (I like to call it a “limited carb” plan rather than a “low carb” plan) for a little over 60 days (here’s where I wrote about the beginnings of this journey). I don’t want to jinx anything, but I feel like I am forming a new habit. This article discusses how the foods we reach for when we are stressed are more based on habit than cravings – I can relate!

The carbs I’ve been cutting back on are things like bread/rolls, crackers, pasta. I still eat fruit and starchy vegetables. And instead of replacing those carbs with protein or fat, I’m very conscious of eating more vegetables. I have found that I don’t need as much food as I was eating; I don’t crave carbs like I used to; and yes, I believe that much of the time I was eating carb out of habit. Breaking the carb habit is not easy, but for me it’s been worth it. I was able to take off some extra pounds that seemed to be creeping on, and I’m using less insulin.

For me, though, the most important thing is that I’m making my own choices about what I’m eating, I feel good, and my blood glucose is easier to manage. By easier to manage, I mean that I am not doing as much “checking and correcting” as I did before. Choosing to eat fewer carbs has helped me “close the gap” a little. I admit that where the workload has increased is in finding lower carb options when I eat out and preparing vegetables!! But I think it’s worth it, and I’m hopeful this is a habit that will stick!

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