Finding strength – Supporting my mother with her diabetes
3 years ago, my mother was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and our lives took an unexpected turn.
In an Indian household, a mother isn’t just a caretaker – She’s the heart of the family.
I’d always seen my mother as our strongest pillar, managing everything from morning prayers to family meals. But when the doctor confirmed her diagnosis, it felt as if everything we had ever known was about to change.
At first, we were overwhelmed. In our culture, food is a symbol of love and tradition, from sweet kheer on birthdays to ladoos during festivals. How could my mother now avoid the very foods that had always been a part of her life? Would she be able to enjoy Diwali sweets? Was diabetes going to take away her joy of cooking for our family?
Amid these fears, one thing was clear – I had to stand by her side.
Understanding the condition and taking on a new perspective
To truly help my mother, I had to first educate myself.
So I started studying, and learned that type 2 diabetes occurs when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use it as effectively as it needs to, leading to high blood sugar levels. And I learned that if left unchecked, it could cause nerve damage, heart disease, and vision problems.
Learning this was a wake-up call.
Like many familiars in India, mine relied on home remedies passed down for generations – Bitter gourd juice, methi seeds soaked overnight, neem leaves, etc.
And while these were beneficial, we realised that a holistic lifestyle change was the real key.
Because diabetes isn’t just about avoiding sweets. It’s about understanding balance.
Transforming our diet
The biggest challenge was changing our traditional diet – How do you remove sugar when chai is an essential part of life? How do you tell your mother she can’t make her favourite halwa?
Instead of eliminating everything, we modified our meals while keeping cultural flavours intact:
- Breakfast – Poha with peanuts (instead of sugar-laden cornflakes)
- Lunch – Roti made from jowar or bajra with sabzi (instead of refined wheat chapatis)
- Dinner – Moong dal khichdi with ghee (light yet filling).
And during festivals and pujas, we found healthier alternatives:
- Diwali sweets – Dry fruit-based ladoos made with dates (instead of sugar).
- Ramzan feasts – Grilled kebabs and fresh fruit chaat (instead of deep-fried snacks).
- Navratri vrat – Makhana (fox nuts) and rajgira flour dishes (instead of deep-friend sabudana vadas)
These small shifts allowed my mother to enjoy traditions without harming her health.
Exercising and finding joy in movement
Like many Indian families, movement was already often woven into our daily routines – Completing household chores, walking to the temple, dancing at weddings, etc.
However, regular structured exercise was new to my mother. So we brought in movement where we could:
- Morning walks – We started walking to the temple every morning instead of driving.
- Dancing – On the weekend, we played Bollywood songs and did a 20-minute dance workout.
- Yoga and meditation – We expanded our morning puja routine to include Surya Namaskar and deep breathing.
Slowly, my mother’s energy levels improved and she felt more connected to her body.
Monitoring and managing – A family responsibility
For our family, like many other Indian families, health is a collective responsibility. And everyone came together to support my mother.
My father, siblings and I helped her track her glucose levels, checking her blood sugar regularly (rather than waiting for the next doctor visit).
My grandmother shared stories of Ayurvedic remedies.
My aunts started making diabetes-friendly sweets for family gatherings.
Even my younger cousins encouraged her by eating the same meals as her.
And instead of isolating her with ‘special’ food, we all embraced her healthier lifestyle.
Finding emotional and spiritual strength
Diabetes isn’t just a physical battle – It’s an emotional fight as well.
Some days, my mother was wracked with guilt and blamed herself for her condition. During religious fasting periods, she felt frustrated when she was hit by cravings.
To give ourselves strength, we turned to spirituality.
Reciting the Hanuman Chalisa gave my mother peace on stressful days. Lighting a diya and meditating helped her stay mindful of her body. Jaap mala (prayer beads) became a way for her to practice patience and acceptance.
With faith, my mother started seeing her health as a divine responsibility, not a punishment.
Making a lifelong commitment to health and happiness
Today, my mother’s diabetes is well-managed.
But our journey is far from over. We’ve realised that health isn’t a short-term goal, it’s a lifelong commitment. Each small step (every mindful meal, every temple walk, every moment of self-care) adds up to a healthier future.
And supporting my mother through diabetes not only improved her health but also strengthened our bond as a family. We faced challenges, made mistakes, and learned together.
Some of our key learnings were:
- Diabetes isn’t about restrictions – It’s about balance, awareness and long-term commitment.
- Diabetes isn’t just an individual’s challenge – It affects the whole family, but with love, support and patience, it’s possible to turn struggles into strength.
- Diabetes doesn’t define you – Your resilience does. And with the right knowledge, faith and support, life can still be joyful, fulfilling, and full of cherished traditions (just in a healthier way).
So to anyone going through the same journey, just remember – You are not alone.
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