A few weeks ago, mom went to the doctor to get her aching knees checked out and discovered that her glucose levels are high. Just today, she found out she has diabetes. To say that she is not happy is understatement. She has yet to talk to a dietician, but it looks like she'll have to cut out her favorite treats. No more cakes, candy, and ice cream for her. It makes me sad that she'll never enjoy them ever again, even if it is for her own good. First my dad has high blood pressure, now this! I feel like I'm cursed as I will definitely have both. I don't know how I will cope with all of this.

Edit: On a lighter note, mom was planning to go on the Atkins diet. It's a diet that consists of high protein and low carbohydrates. Hopefully, it will help with the glucose count.

Hi MoonCat! While it's terrible to learn you have diabetes, Im so glad that this was caught. The consequences of diabetes when unchecked can be debilitating (and im sure your mum is hearing a ton of that now). It's also good to know ahead of time that you may have a predisposition to it.

Though I think it's important to think of food as a permanent lifestyle decision we make everyday. Im sure your mother will find new treats to enjoy, and that you can help her do that.

It's not the same at all, but my girlfriend is super lactose intolerant and Im still looking for a recipe that can get her off dairy ice cream (her favorite) for good!!

Hey, sorry to hear that about your mom :( My mother in law also has diabetes, the type that can become better. And she also has heart issues :( She gave up smoking though, but not sweets, lol. She watched her diet though, and she still eats sweets, but in small quantities. But yes, she needs to talk to the dietitian first and depending on which type she has she might defeat it. MIL was able to eat sweets again because hers got better thanks to her diet. it will be difficult at first, indeed, but the body adjusts in about a month to a new lifestyle and diet. - this i know from my own experience since i gave up buying/eating meat. it's been about 1 year now and i don't miss it one bit (just bacon and steaks at times, lol)

- My sympathies! My mother also had diabetes (along with multiple subsequent issues due to her lack of self-care regarding the diabetes). I use past tense because she committed suicide when I was 13 (about 17 years ago). She gave up the fight when her kidneys required dialysis from the years of neglect.

What I'm trying to say is PLEASE advise your mom to seek a nutritionist ASAP! ❤️ There are SO many sugar alternatives that she can ween herself with before just stopping. Education is key! If my mom had the knowledge I had today (and if I did, then) then I fully believe she would have stuck around. She just didn't want to quit smoking and having her FULL SUGAR Pepsi. Food can be a true addiction, I know it - I used to be 252 lbs! I'm now 198 lbs after a solid year and a half of re-establishing my relationship with food.

Sorry for the giant novel! I truly wish you and your mother the best. :)

Thanks, guys! My mom did talk to the dietitian and found out she has type 2 diabetes. While she can still have sweets, she has to have a little bit of them. She also got an Accu-Chek to measure her blood sugar level. But the good news is that since she had started her diet, she had shed off, as of this morning, 11.4 pounds! She is also diagnosed with arthritis, so the weight loss is easier on her knees. My dad even noticed that she's walking a little faster! I'm also following her example and changing my diet to be healthier.

Yes, she will need to check her blood sugar level constantly -daily, or at least 3 times a week. I'm glad that her knees and walk improved due to losing weight. And it's a great thing for you to change your diet - it will be of great support for your mother, I'm sure. :)

I'm sorry to hear about your mother, even if it happened a long time ago. It can't be easy for you to think about it. I am pretty certain that it wasn't a very easy decision for her, to do what she did, and i think there have been more factors influencing it than just poor health and lack of information or access to it, compared to today.

- That is such great news! Good for you and your mom! Way to make the best of a situation. :)

- Thank you for your sympathies. Yes, sometimes it can be hard to remember the vivid details of her death, but more than anything I'm grateful for my experiences in life. She has always taught me to be strong, and part of that was fully experiencing my moments of grief. I feel like the main reason I turned out as level-headed as I am is because she mentally prepared me for life's turmoils. She (like many of us) struggled with mental-illnesses, and chronic physical illness didn't improve her situation. She wasn't in her right mind when she made that decision (she had taken nearly all her meds right before) and in fact, it sparked a law suit with my dad and Kaiser! It's a long story for another time...

I'm sorry about your mom's condition, but I'm glad they caught it and she can take proper steps towards maintaining a normal blood sugar level! Great that your mom has been adjusting well and that you're also looking after your diet now.

My mother has type2 diabetes as well and she's been taking pills for a few years now and she's doing great, having kicked off of the sugary sweets. The only thing she really misses is to eat a lot of fruit, since she loves fruit so much. She can have an apple or two a day, so that really helps her.

While it might be scary that your parents have illnesses, you can at least now prepare and take good countermeasures to make sure you minimise your chance of getting them yourself~

I'm sorry to hear that your mom has diabetes!

I also have diabetes. I do not need insulin at this time, but I am supposed to be regulating my diet. Being stuck at home really makes me hungry so I have to try to cut the boredom eating down. I am trying to think of ways to do that. I am on pills right now, but I don't know if they are still working as well as they were.

I eat bananas pretty regularly. If you eat them before they become super-ripe, they have less sugar. It's one of the few fruits I will actually eat.

On a side note, there is a brand of ice cream called Halo Top that is a bit more diabetic-friendly. A lot less sugar, and more protein. I eat it with few problems. There are a lot of flavors. It's a bit pricey, but as a treat it is good.

Mom wants me to go on the Keto diet, but it looks like it would be too hard for me. I tried the South Beach Diet for about a day or two before I said forget it. I cannot eat much of what I like on that diet and they recommend too many things I don't like, so I just try to limit my carbs and be smart about it. I also try to make sure to eat as much meat as I can.

Anyhow, I just want you to know that if you need support in this, message me. I will do what I can :) I <3 helping people.