I started eating better to control my weight and lower my A1C (basically my blood sugars). I’ve been doing well, eating at home 90% of the time, cutting out junk food, etc.
The only issue is how much of a pain in the ass it is. I cannot drive because of health issues, so I have to rely on family to get groceries. Delivery is not an option, way too expensive and unreliable. I also can’t stand for too long, so cooking can be a hassle. Cooking in my wheelchair is nearly impossible with my kitchen setup. I rely a lot on food banks and EBT, so pre-cooked meals aren’t available to me.
I’ve found some ways around these issues: meal planning, a stool to sit on when cooking, buying canned and frozen fruit/veggies instead of fresh, making bread at home, etc.
No one tells you about the stress involved. I spend so much of my time thinking about food, cooking food and how to get food. I’m always having to sacrifice something, either paying extra, doing more work, eating less quality food etc. Buying in bulk helps, but isn’t always an option price-wise. Buying raw ingredients can help (flour, etc instead of sliced bread), but takes more time and effort.
My fiance helps me a lot. Like A LOT. I dont know what I’d do without him. But he has his own health issues and I can’t ask him to do everything for me. I want him to have his own life. I encourage him to go out with his friends and eat what he likes, but that means I may go without food he cooks.
My family can’t really help with cooking. I live with my fiance, mom, brother and aunt. Both my mom and aunt have health issues that mean they can’t cook at all. My brother works a lot and can’t help either. We are all on a fixed income. My mom will not be able to drive soon. My aunt should not be driving at all. So mainly it’s my fiance driving everywhere. My aunt will move out soon to live with her son, so we may have another family member move in with us instead. Idk if they will be much help because I don’t know who it will be.
My health has taken over my live. Food, doctors appointments, blood tests… and all of it stresses me out and costs money. I am so lucky to have California’s free low income health care. Without it, I’d probably have ended my life by now.
I just need to vent about these issues. I feel like sometimes people will deny or excuse how difficult being healthy can be for some people. Some people have an easier time, some people have a harder time. I think about my grandparents and how hard it was for them. My grandma grew up basically only eating rice and beans for every meal because money was so tight and there were 12 kids. My grandpa was severely neglected and had to earn money to feed himself as a kid. I am so lucky, I feel bad complaining.
I just wish I had money. If I had money, I could PAY for all this stuff. Food delivery, grocery delivery, a cook, paid rides, etc. I would do anything to have money and not have to think about these things.
I am determined to get and stay healthy though. My family needs me alive. My mom has many health issues and my dad is long dead. My fiance is amazing but he needs my help. My brother too. I have responsibilities and I need to live as long and healthy as I can to fulfill them.
It just sucks. I need to complain, I guess.