Case Study Isa

8/2/2019 Case Study Isa

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Turbulent Times

Food for diabetics: an adolescent Perspective

By Dina Fouad

A preliminary research paper

Eating during the holidays: breaking the fast

Days usually celebrated with the presence of food; the first morning of Ramadan arrives filling

the streets with familiar aromas coming from the neighbors kitchens busy preparing meals for

iftar. Not a minute goes by when food doesnt cross a fasting Muslims head. While foods that

are light and nutritious such as Breads, soups, fresh fruits and vegetables are the perfect way to

begin and end the daily fast- this is usually never the case. Even though the principal ritual of

this month is fasting which entails abandoning eating, drinking, smoking or sinning from dawn

to sunset, Egyptians adopted certain eating habits that are not directly linked to the essence of

fasting during this period. For instance, iftar tables are often very rich; any type of food might be

served, but traditionally the desert almost always includes "konafa" or "qatayef". The former is a

cake-like food made of wheat with considerable sugar, honey, raisins and different types of nuts

and the later is almost the same, but takes the shape of a small circular cake, which is folded to

include nuts and raisins. I remember the very first Ramadan after my sister has been diagnosed

with diabetes. It had only been three months and the doctors admonished her that it would be

difficult to regulate her blood sugar level if she fasts. How ironic youd think! She explained

sadly, it feels awful, the time that Im actually not allowed to eat not because of my sickness I

still cant not eat because of it. The simplest act of obedience and faith which is to abandon food

that my body doesnt react to or process so well anyways- I cant do and with her eyes full of
http://www.touregypt.net/recipes/konafa.htmhttp://www.touregypt.net/recipes/recipeweek11122002.htmhttp://www.touregypt.net/recipes/recipeweek11122002.htmhttp://www.touregypt.net/recipes/konafa.htm


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tears she continues, the irony doesnt end at the fact that I cant fast but it actually continues

even more at the time when its time to break the fast and have iftar; there is usually nothing

served that isnt full of carbohydrates and fats. With an overwhelming variety of rice, pasta,

chicken, and meat dishes on the iftar table, the choice becomes agonizing. Already feeling

embarrassed by the fact that shes not fasting- as its not good manners to outwardly make a

display of not fasting, my sister would sit quietly on the table trying to survey each and every

item with her eyes and counting the possible carbohydrate intake of different combinations.

While shes in a whole other world, the rest of us are busy filling our plates and making sure we

are eating from everything provided. Enthusiastic about the return of Ramadan, We all enjoyed

the gathering around food and numerous discussions took place over the favorite meals and

desserts that await our hungry fasting stomachs. Conspicuously, the case was very different for

my sister; It was from this very moment that my sister realized that she was no longer normal

like what her doctors would say and that if this holiday had taught her anything, it taught her to

start the diabetes way of life.

The diabetes way of life: Following The Diet

After the holidays, days are back to normal. The iftar gatherings full of unhealthy food are gone

and a new chapter begins. At first my sister clarifies, I thought nothing would be harder than

having to choose carefully what to eat in front a bunch of people who have no idea that you are

diabetic and even if they knew they wont know how to cope with that- like in the case of her

first Ramadan experience. Id feel more comfortable either eating alone orwith one or two

people who knew about my condition and thus wont make a huge deal out of it. My mother

interrupts by adding that as from now on all foods prepared in the house are going to be diabetic


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friendly, meaning that olive or canola oil are the only types allowed to cook with. Also, frying of

fries and what have you would only be done utilizing the new cooking pan that promises with

only one teaspoon of oil, all your favorite deep fried foods would be enjoyed. Being an avid fan

of deep fried foods, my sister was very excited and started following the diet and as a support

we all did too. The diabetes way of life has become without us noticing the way of healthy life.

From eating at fixed times to counting carbohydrates, our family started sharing the problem and

making the best of it for all of us. But this didnt last for a long time; it was soon when my sister

started that she is growing farther away from her friends and relatives. As discussed by

Kaufmann in her book the meaning of cooking, like all culturally defined material substances

used in the creation and maintenance of social relationships, food serves both to create and

solidify bonds as well as set people apart .The food that she used to share with them is no longer

accepted in the diabetic diet. The diabetes way of eating is setting her apart from the rest. Away

from the family, she mentions that a simple yet crucial task like counting carbohydrates becomes

difficult not to mention the thought of even trying to take the insulin injection. Eating with

people becomes more like a dreadful experience that youd either avoid or conform to the eating

habits of everyone else and break the diet!

Getting used to it: Rules are made to be broken!

A variety of mismanagement behaviours in relation to food were expressed. My sister admitted

to engaging in mismanagement behaviour by eating things like pizza and chocolate regularly at

school. At first sometimes when people would offer me sweets I would get upsetI would cry

at home and I didnt really like it. If I saw someone drinking fizzy drinks or eating sweets I

would get upset and cry at home. Its not easy you know to try to stay away from all the foods

that youve always liked and shared with your friends when you know that the solution is only


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one insulin injection away. It was apparent that the idea was taking over my sisters head at the

time; after a year of getting used to diabetes, eating any sort of food seems acceptable and the

corrective insulin shot would set everything back to normal. Such dietary mismanagement

behaviour is far from surprising. Food being involved in many adolescent peer-related activities

and has social implications, struggling to adhere to dietary regimes is reported in many cases

().Breaking the rules every once in a while is the norm in several human behaviours needless to

say especially around food. Social factors appear to exert an influence on eating behavior

through social facilitation, resulting in increased food intake when eating in the presence of

others (Lupton). My sister would explain this by saying, I usually never eat much if Im alone

or you for instance, its the discussions we have while eating and the whole experience that often

is the reason leading to this. According to Kaufmann, sharing a meal with others is a way of

creating and maintaining social bonds both within and outside the household (Kaufmann).

However, my sister goes on describing the feelings associated with breaking the rules.As soon

as I take the mouthful of chocolate ice-cream, guilt takes over almost instantly. In fact, guilt is

usually the dominant emotion in my daily routine otherwise Id be eating healthy and Its when

Id feel sick. Conforming to food cravings are almost always followed by guiltiness and healthy

diabetic friendly meals are mundane. Nevertheless, breaking the rules every once in a while

doesnt seem harmful in the beginning but its not long before you get punished.

Breaking up with food: I officially hate it!

After two years of living with diabetes, a relationship with food has been developed. Knowing

the secret of carb counting and insulin injections, food is no longer the enemy. It sometimes

makes me feel normal and in control of food. Only two months ago, this feel of control was

shattered and food was back to the position of the enemy. I was out celebrating my best friends


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birthday party, when a delicious chocolate cake was served and I just couldnt keep myself from

it. Before I knew it, I had eaten 2 servings following a huge dinner composed of fried steak and

buttered sweet corn! I was going all the way that night and I lost track of the carb count which

eventually led to an inadequate insulin correction. The overwhelming happiness from the

delicious food was soon overshadowed by the immense feelings of guilt as late that night I

suffered from the worst diabetes side effect- A COMA. My parents hurried to the hospital where

I spent two days in the intensive care. Horrifying these days were to both my parents and I,

following my release from the hospital I had officially declared my hatred to food. I spent the

worst two days of my life trying to amend what food has done to me and I go back that night to

suffer from the counter; hypoglycemia. This is when the blood sugar level has gone to very low

and sugar intake is required to balance. A need for sweet, my sister continues. Seriously, after

all of this, now out of all times Im actually not only allowed to eat sweet but have to. And this is

when confusion over food starts. She stopped and cried expressing that, Food has become

more like a medicine; certain foods are required at certain conditions. Too much of it is

pernicious and too little weakens the body.

Making friends with food: Co-existence and moderation

Last Friday we were invited to dinner at my fiancs house but I couldnt help but notice how

differently my sister was reacting to the food on the dining table. With peacefulness and

confidence, she carefully added various items to her plate. Sauted vegetables and salads were

the main components on her dish with a piece of grilled kebab and kofta on the side. I asked her

about that evening and how she managed to avoid carbohydrates and sweets, she answered

simply, Dina, ana bataaysh which literally means Im coexisting and in this case she meant

shes dealing with food. If I cant live without it nor have too much of it, then I need to deal


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with that and moderate. I dont hate food and Ill never do. Ill make friends with the kinds of

food that is preferable for me and detach from the others.

N.B.

So far Ive talked about a series of experiences encountered by my sister and how each one gives

her a different view on food. I didnt quite analyze these cases yet and didnt fully incorporate

the effect on the family. However, if Id continue with this research, Ill try to develop acomplete extensive analysis on the topic; the social implications of food and how it affects a

diabetic and so on.

Case Study Isa

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