Veteran television and theatre actress Usha Nadkarni, known for her iconic role in Pavitra Rishta, recently shared a deeply personal account of her struggle with diabetes and how her professional commitment often led her to neglect her health. As she approaches her 80th birthday in September, Nadkarni reflects on how her passion for her craft has sometimes come at the expense of her well-being. In a candid conversation on comedian Bharti Singh and screenwriter Haarsh Limbachiyaa’s YouTube podcast, she revealed the challenges she faced managing her condition while keeping up with her busy work schedule.
A Commitment to Work at the Cost of Health
Nadkarni, now 79, disclosed that her hectic schedule as an actor left her with little time to focus on her health. “I wake up at 5 am, and my hairdresser would arrive by 8:10 am. I’d leave with her and would only be ready by 10 am. I often didn’t have a clue about the time, and I used to sometimes eat as late as 5 pm,” she shared. Despite being a diabetic, Nadkarni felt compelled to push through, sacrificing her dietary needs in pursuit of her passion for acting. "I silently bore it because I wanted to work," she confessed.
While her determination and dedication to her craft are admirable, Nadkarni’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of managing diabetes through proper meal timing.
The Impact of Skipping Meals on Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires careful management of blood sugar levels. One of the fundamental aspects of managing the disease is maintaining a regular eating schedule. For people with diabetes, skipping meals or eating at irregular times can lead to serious complications. Timely meals are crucial in preventing sudden blood sugar fluctuations, which can be harmful to health.
Preventing Blood Sugar Spikes and Crashes
When individuals with diabetes skip meals, it can lead to both blood sugar spikes and crashes. If meals are delayed, the body may not receive the necessary nutrients and energy at the right intervals, causing blood sugar levels to fluctuate unpredictably. This can lead to hypoglycemia (a dangerous drop in blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (a harmful rise in blood sugar). By eating regularly and on time, blood sugar levels remain more stable, reducing the risk of these sudden fluctuations.
Supporting Insulin Effectiveness
For those with diabetes who rely on insulin or other medications to manage their condition, timing meals properly becomes even more critical. When meals are spaced out consistently, insulin can work more effectively to regulate blood sugar. However, irregular eating habits can undermine the effectiveness of these medications, making it harder to keep glucose levels within the desired range.
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Managing Hunger and Overeating
Skipping meals often leads to extreme hunger later in the day, which can trigger overeating. This is especially concerning for people with diabetes, as overeating can result in blood sugar spikes. Additionally, overeating after long gaps between meals may also lead to unhealthy food choices, further exacerbating the problem. Maintaining regular meal times helps control hunger and ensures that portion sizes remain manageable, ultimately leading to better glucose control.
Maintaining a Steady Metabolism
Consistent meal timings help regulate metabolism, which plays an essential role in controlling glucose levels. Irregular eating can disrupt metabolic processes, potentially causing fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Regular meals support a steady metabolism, ensuring the body processes glucose efficiently and maintains better control over blood sugar levels.
Why Timely Eating Is Crucial for Diabetics
For individuals with diabetes, proper meal timing is not just a convenience — it’s a health necessity. As Usha Nadkarni’s story illustrates, the pressures of work and daily life can sometimes make it challenging to prioritise one’s health. However, her openness about her struggles serves as a reminder that managing diabetes requires intentional care, especially when it comes to eating at regular intervals. Skipping meals or eating at odd hours may seem harmless, but it can have significant long-term effects on blood sugar regulation.
As Usha approaches her milestone birthday, her message is clear: health must never take a backseat, no matter how demanding life or work may be.