The story of how Diabetic Kitchen Diary came to life is as much a personal journey as it is a culinary one. I never set out to write a food blog, but necessity, passion, and a desire to live well pushed me to share what I’ve learned.
My journey started when I was first told I was prediabetic. Determined to take control of my health, I went vegan and lost weight, which seemed like a positive step. However, my blood sugar levels actually got worse, and soon I found myself officially diagnosed with diabetes. Looking back, I realize that while I was eating a whole-food, plant-based diet, I didn’t fully appreciate the importance of keeping starches low. Many vegan staples—like grains, legumes, and starchy vegetables—can cause spikes in blood sugar if not carefully balanced. It was a frustrating and confusing time, but I wasn’t ready to give up.
Next, I decided to try the keto diet. Keto helped me get my blood sugar under control, but I became concerned about my cholesterol numbers. They were just on the wrong side of normal, and as a diabetic, I knew I needed them to be better than just okay—I needed them to be great. At the time, I didn’t fully recognize the importance of distinguishing between saturated and unsaturated fats. The high intake of saturated fats typical of keto may have contributed to this issue. So, I went off keto, but my A1c climbed to 7.0, and I knew I had to find a new approach.
Between keto and my current framework, I also started exercising—specifically, 11 minutes of intense cardio per day, adding up to 77 minutes per week. This helped improve my HDL cholesterol, though my LDL levels remained stubbornly high. I knew I needed a more comprehensive solution.
That’s when I adopted the framework I use today. It’s a balanced approach that focuses on keeping carbs low, prioritizing healthy fats—like those from nuts, seeds, and avocados—and being mindful of overall nutrition while minimizing artificial ingredients as much as possible. This brought my A1c down to 5.9 (with no medication), and also improved my LDL cholesterol. It’s not perfect, and I know it could be better, but I’m honest about the challenges—eating out and parties are still hard for me, and I think many people can relate to that struggle.
Thus, Diabetic Kitchen Diary was born. Here, I share my journey and the recipes that have made living with diabetes not just manageable, but fulfilling. I want every person who comes here to see that eating with health in mind doesn’t mean saying goodbye to creativity, comfort, or indulgence. Instead, it’s about finding a way to have it all—to nourish both body and soul.
To anyone who is just starting on their own path, I want to say: I’ve been there. The road ahead might seem daunting, but with every meal, there is an opportunity to take control, to create something that makes you feel good, and to find joy in cooking again. I hope Diabetic Kitchen Diary can be a helpful companion on your journey, filled with delicious moments that remind you that eating well is not just possible, but truly wonderful.