Thursday
Dear Elsie
Now here’s a funny phrase that you will have heard: resting my pancreas. I learned about it through your Mom who learned about it through your dietician. It is actually one of the hardest things to do to fully rest your pancreas. It means not eating at all for a full 5 hours which is easy overnight but during the day it’s a challenge for me. I tend to snack, even if it is healthy snacks. Today I tried ‘resting my pancreas’ and not eating between 8 & 1 and I’ll next eat after 6pm. Every time I get up to go and grab a nartjie or rice cake, I reach for a glass of water instead because, I announce, “I’m resting my pancreas!”
So what’s this all about? What does it mean and why do we have to do it. I googled it to find out more.
To simplify, the pancreas releases enzymes that break down carbohydrates (including sugar) and fats. The more of those you have in your body the harder your pancreas works. It also releases hormones (glucagon and insulin) that regulate your blood sugar.
You want a healthy pancreas to avoid diabetes. Part of keeping it healthy is resting it so it has a break from dealing with all the stuff we eat.
The outcome of resting my pancreas will be a more stable blood sugar level and a lower chance of getting diabetes. The last time I had my blood sugar level checked it was perfect so I want to keep it that way. 1 out of 9 adult South Africans have diabetes.
Day 1 of resting pancreas achieved. Now I have to try for all the other days ahead and that is going to be a challenge! I think it will get easier the longer it’s done, but I don’t know if I can keep this up. No snacking!
I worked more than 8 hours today and I’m looking forward to going for a walk. It rained quite a lot this morning, but now the sun is making an appearance.
Psalm 124:8
Our help is in the Name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
It’s not about now – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Gran xx 🙂