Lead me not into temptation…I think about that phrase from the 23rd Psalm often as I navigate life as a type 1, insulin dependent diabetic.

I’m making boiled eggs right now for egg salad. Directly next to the pan I am using is a tin of luscious cherry pie. In the freezer is the perfect topping, vanilla ice cream.

It’s been here since last night. The donuts over on the island have been here two days.

Everyone manages their diabetes different, and this is my story – not advice from a doctor. If you want diet advice, see your physician.

If you want help succeeding in loving a healthy lifestyle, don’t bring temptation into the house.

My home is my sanctuary. I want it to be a place of health and peace – peace of mind. Safety.

After I was diagnosed type 1, I was angry. After almost six years of eating healthy and exercising, my faux type 2 diagnosis revealed the more sinister actual diagnosis of type 1. Now I was injecting insulin every day, with every meal, and checking my blood sugars more times than I can count.

I thought I had fended off type 2 – I had in fact delayed full blown type 1. My habits had done me good by giving me a long honeymoon, but the honeymoon is over.

Now I’m in forums with type 1 diabetics who eat whatever they want, whenever they want, and dose accordingly with insulin.

I thought I’d give it a try. I said hello to foods I had nearly forgotten. Pastry, breads, ice cream were eaten at will, and enjoyed vigorously.

I said hello to 20 of the 30lbs of weight I had lost.

I said hello to bigger insulin boluses, and the roller coaster of high and low blood sugars.

It was not for me.

I have gone back on my low carb diet – modified for safety in my case. The weight is falling off. My blood sugars are great. Smaller carb numbers in my meals lead to smaller corrections, and tighter control of my blood sugars.

Dealing with temptation is a daily event. Anywhere I buy food, there is more unhealthy food than healthy food. I know what to do, after six years of making better choices.

I don’t want to undermine myself by buying food that will undermine my health – but it happens. Holiday meals are filled with foods I can’t indulge in. The times I only have time to grab a bite of fast food takes concentration on food labels and nutritional information.

Nothing is new.

What is new is I look past the cherry pie, and make my egg salad. I discard the stale donuts as I eat fruit and peanut butter before I go on my daily run. I drink another 32oz of water before I have a solitary diet soda.

It’s all about choices.

These are mine.

I choose daily good habits for long term health.