I have a friend who was diagnosed with diabets just two years ago and even now she’s still having difficulty adjusting to the changes she has had to made. Because of her glucose intolerance, she’s basically had to give up white rice and bread, except in small quantities. In addition, before and after each meal she has to test her glucose levels to ensure that her blood sugar is not too high.

It’s especially bad not being able to eat snacks iwhen everybody else is capable of drinking regular cokes, soft drinks, milk shakes, and eating fries. But, I guess, the silver lining is that at least she’s learning to eat healthy.

So far, just the meal adjustments have been enough to keep the diabetes in check. Fortunately, she doesn’t have to take insulin and while she should be exercising more to lose weight, it hasn’t worsened the diabetes.

It takes an adjustment to realize that the dietary changes needed to combat diabetes are life long changes. It takes a small toll on friendships as well. When we go out for dinner, we usually make an effort not to make her feel ostracized by ordering too many foods that she can’t share in. But sometimes we do forget and feel a bit of guilt as the order comes and she can’t share. Mostly, though, we’ve learned to have fun with it by doing her diet with her. Ironically, this simple act has brought us closer together.

The experience has also made each of us appreciate our relatively good health and recognize how lucky we are.