So I know that one of the big responsibilities that goes with being a person with Diabetes is maintaining a healthy diet. All of a sudden nutrition labels are the most interesting thing in the world when you go grocery shopping. Like magic, the ability to convert carbs into units of insulin is bestowed upon Wilford Brimley Fan Club members around the world.

What’s Up Doc?

I know the food pyramid is supposed to be the first line of defense in a healthy lifestyle, as far as eating is concerned. But I’m pretty sure that I completely ignore what the United States Department of Agriculture says I should be eating each day. I’m sure it’s for the best. I mean I’m still alive right? I must be doing something right.

Among the pieces of the almighty pyramid are the ever-important vegetables. Big shocker, I’m not a huge fan of vegetables. Pretty much anything that qualifies as a vegetable is something that I do not eagerly engage in eating. The big exception are carrots. But that’s a bit of a cop-out isn’t it? I mean Bugs Bunny was all about carrots, so it makes sense that anyone who was addicted to cartoons as a child ((looks in mirror)) would follow suit.

When it comes to most sandwiches, I usually add lettuce and tomato, but that’s it. Pretty lame, but I like my club sandwiches to be simple. The other option is the salad. In the grand scheme of things, I eat most of the basic components of a salad, and I’m a fan of dipping carrots in ranch dressing but if you combine all of those ingredients all of a sudden I’m not a fan. It’s one of those weird things. My dad likes ketchup and french fries, but I’ve never seen him put ketchup on his french fries. Maybe it’s a genetic oddity that runs in our family. However, I am not completely opposed to salads…assuming a Caesar Salad qualifies.

For some reason I kind of feel like I’m cheating the system when I order a Caesar Salad at a restaurant. Is that wrong? I know I need to include more vegetables in my overall diet, but where does the mighty Caesar fit into all of this?

FWIW, here’s the Food Pyramid – http://www.mypyramid.gov/

Update: Since I wrote this, the Food Pyramid has been replaced by a plate. For more information on choosing how you should fill your plate with food, check out http://www.choosemyplate.gov/.