Facing Pre-Diabetes: How I Kicked My Sugar Habit

I was opportune to check my sugar level three years ago while I was still in the village, my late grandmother had her glucometer machine which one of her daughters bought to track her sugar level often. I was to leave the next day, but my younger sister insisted that I test my sugar level as she was willing to do that for me. I eventually surrendered myself for the test which she took my blood, ran the process and the result came out. I had pre-diabetes and I was extremely shocked as my heart was beating faster than normal.

This was something I never imagined myself having. Diabetes run in my family; my late mom and grandma had it. My big sister would always warn and advise us to stop taking sugar and that there are other drinks that can be replaced to sugary substances. When she enlightened us on how the family has diabetes in one way or the other, she would try her best to give us the necessary information to avoid it.

We turned deaf ears to her warnings because as of then, I would always take lots of sugar without minding my health. I can use 3 full spoons of sugar on a little quantity of garri, pap and whatever needed sugar in it, even adding sugar to beans and yam, that is to show how much I enjoyed sweet taste. I love sweet things — it is why mom made sure we took herbal concoctions while we were young, without them, no food.

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I would experience piles for days and would stay away from sugar till I am relieved then go back to taking sugar again. I would drink 1 or 2 bottles of minerals every day as I can't do without it which was enjoyable for me until that day I got tested and discovered I had pre-diabetes. When I had to calculate the amount of sugar in the drinks I take every day, I screamed 😱

I travelled back to school the next day and vowed never to take anything sugar again. Apart from the natural sugar found in the food we take, I stopped taking artificial sugar and drinking minerals. I abstained completely from it. At first, it wasn't something easier as I would be tempted to take my favourite drinks, but I was able to control myself and hold on to the "No more sugar" for my health's sake.

So far and for over three years now, I have stopped taking sugar and I am used to it already. What I go for is either coffee, water, tea or fruit juice to replace my cravings for sweet drinks like Coke, Fanta and the others. It is why I stopped taking ice creams too but one said since it isn't something taken every day, it is still good, I can't remember the last time I took such a sugary substance because I am always conscious of diabetes and how too much sugar could cause it.

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I returned to taking sugar two months ago and that was because I was making pancakes at home which requires sugar but what I do is just add a pinch of it to the flour and I think it is better that way since I don't buy processed pancake outside and making it myself would help me measure the little quantity I want. When I want to take tea, I only use milk and no sugar and it has been something I am used to and not using sugar isn't something that bothers me anymore.

Some people were always surprised as to how I was able to control myself for the years I stopped taking sugar and would ask how I did it. Of course, it was my decision and determination, also knowing what lies ahead for me makes me to be careful so that the disease would not get to me. One just has to be careful with the intake of sugar. Then, I make sure to go for a sugar test to know my state and what needs to be done.

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