I find it fascinating that the New York Times bestselling author and Queen of the Beach Reads Mary Kay Andrews never fails to mention diabetes in her novels. I feel like she’s as obsessed with raising awareness for diabetes as I am. 

Every one of her books that I have read has made some mention of diabetes. But, usually, there’s little to no information shared about living with diabetes past the initial reference which always bugs me.

One of the characters, Mrs. Lorraine DuBignon Conley, referred to as ‘G’mama,’ has prediabetes in her latest book, Hello, Summer.

The first reference to prediabetes comes on page 20. G’mama’s housekeeper, Winnie, tells G’mama’s youngest granddaughter, Conley, that her grandmother refuses to fill her prescription. 

Conley asks her defiant G’mama if she has checked her sugar yet?  

G’mama responds, “Not you too.” Then adds, “my blood sugar is perfectly fine.” 

The following reference comes on page 156. G’mama says, “I’m a grown woman, and I can eat whatever I want.” 

Thankfully, this time Mary Kay Andrews provides a bit more information about managing prediabetes. 

 Conley replies, “No. You can’t. According to your doctor, you’re prediabetic. You’ve got to limit your carb intake, eat protein, balance your diet, and drink plenty of fluids. Preferably not black coffee. 

This sound advice is rather shocking since the author seldom educates her readers about diabetes self-care. I only wish there was more information sprinkled throughout the book. 

Although recent statistics state that 88 million U.S. adults, or 1 in 3 – have prediabetes, most people don’t know what it is. 

Prediabetes means a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes.

A quick Google search will inform you that normal blood glucose levels for adults without diabetes range from 90 to 110 mg/dL. However, every person is different, so it’s essential to have your doctor check your blood sugars. 

Without intervention, many people with prediabetes could develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years, which puts them at risk of health complications such as heart issues, stroke, vision loss, and kidney failure. 

Of those 88 million living with prediabetes, more than 8 in 10 of them don’t even know they have it. 

The risk factors for prediabetes include:

• Being 45 years or older.
• Being overweight.
• Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.
• Being physically active less than three times a week.
• Having gestational diabetes.
• Having polycystic ovary syndrome. 

African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and some Asian Americans are at higher risk.

Could You Have Prediabetes?

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As obsessed as I am about finding misinformed references to diabetes in her books, I still enjoy Mary Kay Andrew’s storytelling. Her easy-to-read style and the blend of romance and mystery make for a winning combination. 

Not surprisingly, I fell in love with the character, the Silver Bay Beacon’s society columnist, Rowena Meigs. Her ridiculously long narratives in which she describes the food and the fashion in glorious detail, along with each notable attendee’s family lineages at soirees happening around town, are delightful. 

I remember watching the documentary, Bill Cunningham New York, about New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham, who said he was just as fascinated by who was talking to who at charity parties as he was in what anyone was wearing. For decades, this Schwinn-riding cultural anthropologist chronicled fashion trends and high-society charity soirées for the Times style section. His lens zoomed in on the ultrawealthy of New York and the Hamptons networking with one another.

Legendary New York Post celebrity and gossip columnist Cindy Adams also made a career writing about famous people networking with each other. But she’s not is a fan of the term “gossip” and admits she didn’t set out to be a newspaper writer.

“I don’t like the word gossip because it’s pejorative,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be nasty and biting. It should be chatty. It should be funny. It should be something you do over coffee in the morning,” she told Mo Rocca in an interview for “CBS Sunday Morning”. 

I couldn’t agree more!

Here’s a short synopsis of Hello, Summer:

Conley Hawkins left her family’s small-town newspaper, The Silver Bay Beacon, in the rearview mirror years ago. Now a star reporter for a big-city paper, Conley is exactly where she wants to be and is about to take a fancy new position in Washington, D.C. Or so she thinks.

For small town scandals…

When the new job goes up in smoke, Conley finds herself right back where she started, working for her sister, who is trying to keep The Silver Bay Beacon afloat—and she doesn’t exactly have warm feelings for Conley. Soon she is given the unenviable task of overseeing the local gossip column, “Hello, Summer.”

And big-time secrets.

Then Conley witnesses an accident that ends in the death of a local congressman—a beloved war hero with a shady past. The more she digs into the story, the more dangerous it gets. As an old heartbreaker causes trouble and a new flame ignites, it soon looks like their sleepy beach town is the most scandalous hotspot of the summer.

What am I eating when I’m reading Hello, Summer? FIBER!

Did you know that fiber-rich foods slow down the delivery of glucose into the bloodstream? Your blood sugar levels will gradually rise. Even more, fiber-rich foods tend to keep us satiated for longer periods of time, which helps with weight loss.

New research finds that adding fiber to your diet can help combat the effects of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. But only 25 percent of adults get the recommended amount of fiber daily.

Are you struggling with ways to add more fiber to your diet?

Then why not try Omega3NutraCleanse®?

Omega3NutraCleanse® is a delicious, gluten-free, organic flaxseed blend rich in fiber and nutrients.  Recently their marketing team sent me a 14.8 oz sample to try. I love it! After I consulted with my doctor about adding it to my diet, I started adding it to my morning bowl of nonfat, plain yogurt, and berries. It has a nutty flavor that I enjoy. This product compliments Keto, 0 Net Carbs, Paleo, and Vegan lifestyles. And just like their website states: ‘O3NC is a simple way to get the right amount of fiber to keep your inside healthy’.

Talk to your doctor before adding supplements to your diet.

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Salad Making Party with special guest, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWWC, FAND on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

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