“My father had type 2 diabetes. When he was diagnosed, he continued eating whatever he wanted because he believed his insulin injection would take care of his blood sugars. I don’t want to end up like him,” a client once told me. “But it looks like I can’t get around it. I’ll probably get diabetes no matter what.”
Another story:
“Both my mom and sister have high cholesterol, and one had a stroke. They take lots of medications, and I’m so afraid I’ll go down that same road.”
Conversations like these are not uncommon. And I understand, when we see close family members, ones we share genetics with, it’s natural for fear to move to the forefront.
“My family had this, so I’m destined for that.”
I, too, have fallen into this way of thinking. My father’s side of the family carries a high risk of heart disease, and at the age of 46, I started taking Crestor last year, not because my LDL was that high, but because my lipoprotein(a), a genetic marker, was.
When it was fresh and new, I went a little overboard with eating a ton of fiber and avoided some of my favorite foods (hello, cheese) to keep my saturated fats as low as possible.
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Our Genetic Risk
So what’s wrong with looking to our family history for motivation to support our health? Nothing at all.
But there is something wrong with:
Creating stories in our minds that may not be true.
Assuming what happened to a family member will happen to us, especially when we’re living very different lives.
Making choices from a place of fear instead of finding a middle ground that feels freeing and sustainable.
It’s wise to understand our genetic risk. (Hey, McDaniel Nutrition wouldn’t offer genetic testing in our practice if we didn’t believe it could empower people with useful information!)
But sometimes the story becomes so strong that it boxes us in. We go beyond awareness and step into anxiety or rigid control, which, ironically, does not support our system at all.
Like one client who had a strict yes/no list of foods that he would not cross. When we reviewed his list, we realized many of his rules didn’t even line up with the science. More importantly, he felt imprisoned by his diet, deprived of joy and sick with worry that one wrong choice would undo all his efforts.
This week’s free subscriber recipe!
Creamy Chicken Meatball Soup: We had a sick kiddo in the house this weekend, so chicken soup was a must. But instead of the usual noodles, I went with tender chicken meatballs in a creamy, comforting broth. It’s soothing, nourishing, and hits the spot.
What Role Do Genes Really Play?
Research shows that our genes aren’t destiny; they’re more like potential.
Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Jennifer McDaniel.
