I’m sorry, I just couldn’t get myself excited about this post. The thought of documenting my day’s food sounded a bit boring. I really needed some inspiration in order to actually get this post up and running. So here goes…
I’ve never really been one to document my every move on Facebook or Instagram my every meal. I just don’t think people would find it interesting. And I think its pretty hard to be honest on social media when all we are really thinking about is the number of likes and “OMG babe” comments that photo will get. (Then again, I suppose I am seeking some form of attention through this blog – contradictory?)
Diabetes Blog Week has been a real challenge for me, because I would never be able to write 7 posts in 7 days – let alone quality ones! So in order to continue to stretch myself creatively, I’ve gone with something I would never do – a photo blog. This would represent a normal work day for me – I hope its not too boring!
Here goes…
When you have to be at work by 6am, the only thing that gets you out of bed is the thought of a good coffee (coffee machines are, like, the BEST thing EVER invented!)
Followed by a quick bowl of cereal. I was eating Special K (pictured) up until recently. However, I’ve recently switched to WeetBix because it has virtually no sugar and the same nutritional benefits of good breakfast cereals like Iron, Protein, Fibre etc.
By 10am I’m starving – time for morning tea! Its usually an apple and a muesli bar. Carman’s Muesli Bars are fantastic because they are Low GI, don’t taste overly sweet and have significantly less sugar than most other brands.
Lunch time and nothing beats a ham and cheese toastie! Plus its super quick and easy to prepare in the morning! I always use Burgen bread as its Low GI and high in nutritional benefits like Iron, Protein, Fibre etc. Its worth the extra cost. And, of course, a nice strong cup of tea (Twinings English Breakfast) – makes for the ultimate comfort meal! Only problem is that by 2pm I don’t want to go back to work!
The best thing about working is that you have a set routine. You get up at the same time. You eat the same foods at the same time. You don’t have time to open the cupboards and snack, so your blood sugar levels are quite often the same.
That is, until home time hits. I’m usually home by 3pm, giving me a few spare hours to open the fridge and cupboards several times before dinner and snack. Sometimes there’ll be leftover desert if there’s been a special event – that will be an absolute must. Other times it’ll be nuts, chocolate or potato chips from the cupboard. And a coffee, tea or Coke Zero to drink. I’m still struggling with this part of the day. Badly.
I’m pretty lucky to have a home cooked meal on the table at dinner time (thanks Mum!) I’m a pretty good cook myself and help out when I can too. Its usually things like pasta dishes, chunky soup, meat and veg to name a few. We also have stir-frys, tacos, rice dishes and frittatas too. Coming from an Italian family, my diet is a pretty traditional one and I don’t have much exposure to other cuisines (gasp!) or spices (gasp!). My friends couldn’t believe that I’d never eaten a curry until a few years ago! Still not a big fan.
I’m quite good at avoiding after dinner indulgence. I always remind myself of the delayed blood sugar spike that comes from eating junk food that’s high in fat. I don’t want to wake up with a reading of 15. Plus, I go to bed fairly early, so I want a clear indication of my blood sugar levels with most of my rapid acting insulin gone.
Anyway, you now have a good insight into my diet for the day. I hope you’ve found it useful. I’m really interested to see what everyone else writes on this topic today!
I’ve written this post as a participant in Diabetes Blog Week 2015. Follow #dBlogWeek on Twitter for the latest on the event and participants.
Starting your second paragraph I had to smile – I’m terrible at taking photos of my food (terrible in that I take photos…a lot…and instagram…a lot!) But it keeps me entertained…and maybe I’m proving to myself that I’m eating just fine on my own (maybe?)
I enjoyed your blog (and I think food always looks better on a wooden chopping board!)
I wish I worked the same hours on the same days each week – it would make life SO much easier. As it happens, I work different shifts every day and every week, so my meals are constantly different and at different times.
Also a fan of the tea in the glass 🙂
I hate taking food photos just because its so had to get a good shot. Must have taken 100 photos just to get these few shots! And yes, I’ve worked different hours in the past and its a bloody pain for diabetes. So I’m pretty lucky now 🙂
Haha, yes, I do have multiple shots of basically the same image for almost every photo on my phone! Flipping nightmare for storage.
I have to second most of what type1diabeater said! I am definitely prone to posting the odd instafood snap, or I attempt to anyway. Sometimes I just abort and go stalk someone’s better looking pictures! Your post definitely wasn’t boring, I really enjoyed reading it! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks Jessica, I’m so glad you liked it!
Great post, Frank! I love that you included photos. Like you, I can fall into a trap of wanting to snack in the afternoon, but I try to stick to something like nuts.
Your coffee looks incredible! Looks like you eat pretty healthily. I’m scared to write my food post haha. I am guilty of instagramming my food quite a bit. 🙂
Well, credit goes entirely to the coffee machine and double walled glass. Need something fancy to get me started in the morning…and I kinda cheated because I didn’t photograph any of the junk food that tempts me in the late afternoons haha
That definitely looks like a good food day! Ham & cheese toasties always on our menu too.
Thanks Elly! Yeah, I have one almost every day 🙂
Nice food choices there, Frank! Yep, that’s one thing I miss about living at home with my parents, is having that home-cooked meal there pretty regularly. And I completely hear what you say about the routine of the workday, which often brings more stability. Since I’ve been working from a virtual home office for the past few years, I’ve noticed there is a lot more flexibility and ability to slack — takes discipline to not only stay on track, but to not munch during the day. Food can certainly be an adventure, so we try to have as much fun with it as possible. Thanks for sharing your food choices!
Thanks Mike! Yes, starting full time work was one of the best things I’ve done for my diabetes (not for myself though haha). There are still temptations to overcome at work like morning teas and other treats from co-workers, but then again its easier to discipline myself when I am around other people.
OMG, babe! You were a good sport to follow this prompt. I love your photos, your food, and what you wrote.
Thanks Katy! Couldn’t help myself haha
Love your post and some of the brands of food that I don’t know about in the midwestern USA. Thanks so much for the Pad Thai Salad recipe link you shared on my blog today. It looks delicious and beautiful! I admire your ability to avoid post-dinner eating. That is my definitely downfall:-(
My pleasure Laddie. I did struggle with it for a while. Brushing my teeth straight after dinner helps too. And having a cup of tea to look forward to before bedtime.
I Liked That | Bigfoot Child Have Diabetes
[…] Frank (MEMBER of Diet Coke and nuts at 3pm CLUB) […]