A nutritional diet, lots of exercise and healthy lifestyle are key factors in controlling a serious illness like diabetes. Living proof of this is Julie Peacock, who has made it her lifetime ambition to help others overcome this challenge.
For Durban North dietitian Julie Peacock, one of her earliest childhood memories was the time she hid a box of Smarties behind her back, telling her mother she was “tired of being a diabetic”.
Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes just before her fourth birthday, Julie had to very quickly adapt to a disciplined regimen of insulin injections and an altered diet and lifestyle.
My mother researched everything there was to know about diabetes and became a great source of inspiration and encouragement. From a very early age I learned the ‘right way’ of eating, exercising and living,” remembers Julie. Her career choice too, was influenced by her condition.
Julie has since passed on this legacy to others in both her professional and personal capacity. Through her private practice and her talks at support groups, she assists diabetics to achieve optimal control of their illness, at the same time sharing their frustrations and difficulties.
“It helps others feel better and it helps me to realise just how many challenges we face, living with this condition,” she says.
She’s also had to deal with personal setbacks that negatively impacted on her condition. “Stress is not a good factor in a diabetic’s life. Fortunately I’m a ‘Type A’ personality – always aiming for perfection, and with assistance from my medical team, was able to regain my health. I’ve also learnt the stress triggers to avoid!”
“A medical team is essential in the management of diabetes. All diabetics should ideally be under the care of an accredited diabetes educator, dietitian and physician to optimise their control.”
JUST ANOTHER DAY
If Julie’s daily regimen appears daunting, for her it’s a routine she’s adhered to for 37 years: “I exercise regularly (exercise plays a crucial role helping to optimise blood glucose levels), stay with my meal plan and test my blood glucose readings on average six to seven times a day. I inject insulin three times a day, and another long-acting injection at night. It becomes automatic, just like brushing your teeth. Most people starting insulin fear the needle factor, but the needles used today are micro fine and the pain really minimal.”
Julie considers herself more fortunate than others. “I grew up with diabetes. It’s much tougher for children who develop it in later years or in their teens. I try to encourage parents of a diabetic child to treat them as a child first. Of course they have to be more disciplined than other children, but sometimes you need to allow some flexibility. For instance, allow them to go to parties – let their blood sugar go up a little – within safe reason.”
NUTRITION – A CRUCIAL COMPONENT
“Nutrition awareness in particular has changed dramatically over the years and meal plans are much more diversified than in the past,” explains Julie.
“In fact they’re ideally what the entire population should be following which would certainly help towards controlling our global obesity epidemic.
Dietitians are equipped to look at a person’s lifestyle.
Cultural foods, likes and dislikes, portion sizes and other factors are all taken into consideration when calculating the meal plans.
The recommended diet is typically a healthy one that the entire family can follow, making diabetes control that much easier.
The meal plan usually includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, low fat choices, legumes and low GI (Glycaemic Index) starches (starches that are broken down in the bloodstream very slowly, which helps minimise the raised blood glucose levels after meals and keeping one fuller and more energised for longer).
Foods to avoid are those that spike the glucose levels – refined breads and cereals, refined crackers and sweet biscuits, high fat foods and anything glucose based.”
LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE
Not surprisingly, Julie’s two children (Daniel, 6 and Rachel, 9) as well as her partner Darren, follow a nutritious, balanced eating plan as well as keeping active.
While her children are not diabetic they’ve grown up aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. “Diabetes is not a life sentence; it isn’t something ‘visible’, and can be seen as a way of living a healthy life for every member of the family,” insists Julie. “The best advice I can give to diabetics?
Take control of your condition. Learn as much as you can, seek advice from those who can help you and don’t let lack of control lead to complications. Life is to be lived, so live every day to the fullest.” *