Navigating My Way Through a Food Heavy Culture
“Growing up in an Italian family, there has always been a big emphasis on food.
Our cupboards, fridges and freezers at home are always well stocked. Every Friday, I receive a reminder from Mum and Dad to add whatever I want to the weekly shopping list. If I haven’t taken any lunch to work with me, my parents are usually quick to notice. When I go to Nonna’s house, the cafeteria comes out and she motions for me to have some of the biscotti or chocolates on the table. If I’m the first to finish eating at a family get together, the host soon tells me to go up for seconds.
Food is at the center of family gatherings, visits to peoples homes and day to day life. Bringing the family together over a dish of pasta or Nonna’s cannoli is a lovely thing. Yet it has also proven to be one of the greatest challenges I have faced since being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I have been conditioned to eat for as long as I can remember and diabetes has really challenged me to break away from this.”
You can check out the full column over at Diabetes Daily here.
(Also, can’t help but be reminded of this GIF…)
