The majority of people, when diagnosed with diabetes, have Type 2 and need to lose weight.
Of the 23.6 million Americans (I don't know the numbers on the rest of the world), 20 million have Type 2 and, 90% of those should lose weight.
Type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by insulin resistance or reduced sensitivity, can, usually, be significantly improved and even controlled by diet and exercise (There is no cure).
Type 1 diabetes, which is characterized by lack of insulin production, is an autoimmune disorder.
While V did/does not have the autoimmune disorder, without a pancreas to produce the insulin, the results are the same. He has Type 1, regardless of how he got it.
But, he needs to gain weight; not lose any more. He is a mere shadow of his former self.
Because his diet should have a controlled amount of carbohydrates, so as to match his food consumption more easily to his insulin needs, he doesn't have the usual, fun, choices of weight gain:
Hot Fudge Sundaes
6-pack of beer to wash down a Big Mac and large fries
An even gross of chocolate chip cookies
Enormous plate of Fettuccine Alfredo
Actually, that last one is not too bad....
Except normally there would be too much pasta....
And all of the high fat, cholesterol producing cream...
He has diabetes.... He doesn't need heart disease, too.
So, what's a good wife to do to, healthily, fatten him up?
Make food with lots of healthy fats; foods like avocado, and salmon.
On pasta, of course, just not too much.
Which qualifies this for Presto Pasta Nights, founded by Ruth of Once Upon a Feast, and hosted this week by Sara, of Iamafoodblog.
The round-up will be posted on Friday - don't miss it!
This has 2 kinds of salmon and only a bit of lemon and olive oil for sauce - to let all the wonderful flavors really shine!
Salmon, Smoked Salmon, Avocado and Asparagus Pasta
1 1/4 cups pasta, I used rigatoni
5oz (150gr) smoked salmon, I used Irish, but it should be the wet-smoked kind
6oz (180gr) poached fresh salmon
12oz (350gr) asparagus
3oz (90gr) cherry tomatoes, about 2/3 cup
1 avocado
4 green garlic
1 tbs snipped chives
2 tsp snipped tarragon
2 tbs fresh lemon juice, divided
1 tbs cooking olive oil
1 tbs good olive oil
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
Put
fresh salmon into a small skillet. Add enough water to
come half way up the sides of the fish. Add 1 tbs lemon juice. Cover and simmer, 8 - 10 minutes, just until it turns opaque and flakes easily. Remove, drain and break into large chunks.
Snap
off ends of asparagus. If white use vegetable peeler and peel bottom
half of stalk. Cut asparagus in 1 1/2 inch (4 cm) lengths. Fill large
saucepan half full of water and bring to a boil over high heat. When
boiling, drop in asparagus and parboil for 2 minutes if green, 3 if
white. Drain and immediately rinse with cold water.
Slice green garlic, including green tops. Cut tomatoes in half. Cut avocado into cubes. Slice smoked salmon. Snip herbs.
Sauté green garlic in cooking olive oil for 3 minutes. Add blanched asparagus, sauté 3 minutes longer. Add smoked salmon, tomatoes, and stir-fry 1 minute. Add herbs, remaining lemon juice, good olive oil, and drained pasta. Heat through, stirring. Add avocado, poached salmon, stir gently to warm and serve.
Did I mention V is not a big fan of fish?
He was a big fan of this!
