My name is Erica and my dad was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes when I was in middle school. His diagnosis came rather late as he had already been dealing with poor circulation in his lower extremities that eventually led to gangrene. My father eventually had to have an above-knee amputation on both his legs. His transition from diagnosis to becoming paraplegic happened rather quickly, and mostly because he wasn’t aware of his diagnosis early enough and had poor health literacy.
This lighter eggplant rollatini delivers classic Italian comfort with fewer carbohydrates and less saturated fat than traditional eggplant parmesan. Thinly sliced eggplant is roasted instead of breaded, then filled with a savory mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, and sautéed kale, onion, and garlic for added fiber and flavor. The result is a diabetes-friendly, vegetarian main dish that fits well into a low-fat eating pattern while still feeling hearty and satisfying.
In February 2025, I went to my wellness exam for the first time in at least seven years. My appointment was with the nurse practitioner (NP) of an internist I had not yet seen. The first shock to my system was when I stepped on the scale: 345 pounds. At 5'10", that placed my BMI at 49.5. The first thing my NP said was, "Tell me about the history of your weight.” I had been athletic in my teens and twenties, but somewhere along the way, I had lost control of my weight, and in turn my health.
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