My name is Tim Lunsford, and my journey with diabetes isn’t quite like most people’s.
I’ve been living with insulin-dependent diabetes since 2010, but my story actually began with something much more complicated: chronic pancreatitis.
Over the years, I’ve battled severe pancreatitis, multiple hospitalizations, and extensive damage to my pancreas. Today, approximately 96% of my pancreas has been destroyed by the disease. As a result, I live with Type 3c diabetes, a lesser-known form of diabetes caused by damage to the pancreas.
Unlike Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, Type 3c comes with its own unique challenges. My pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, and it also struggles to produce the digestive enzymes needed to properly break down food.
That means every meal requires thought.
I’m not just watching carbohydrates and blood sugar. I also have to pay attention to fat content, portion sizes, digestive enzymes, and how different foods affect my body.
And believe me, it can be exhausting.
The Frustration That Started It All
When you’re diagnosed with diabetes, you’re told to watch what you eat. Eat healthier. Cut back on sugar. Watch your carbs.
Sounds simple enough, right?
But anyone living with diabetes knows it’s rarely that easy.
I would search online for diabetic-friendly recipes, only to find meals loaded with carbohydrates, excessive amounts of fat, or ingredients that were difficult to find or expensive to purchase.
Other times, I’d find recipes that sounded healthy but offered little useful nutritional information.
And then there were the meals that looked like someone had completely forgotten that food is supposed to taste good!
I wanted something different.
I wanted a place where someone could find a delicious dinner without spending an hour trying to figure out whether it fit their dietary needs.
A place where healthy eating felt less like a restriction and more like an opportunity to discover something new.
That’s where the idea for Diabetic Plate came from.
More Than Just Recipes
I created Diabetic Plate because I believe people living with diabetes deserve better resources.
Whether you’re managing Type 1, Type 2, Type 3c, or simply trying to make healthier choices for your family, finding meals that work for you shouldn’t be complicated.
My goal is to bring together recipes that are practical, flavorful, and supported by useful nutritional information.
I want you to be able to see the carbohydrates, protein, fat, and other nutritional details without having to do all the math yourself.
I also want to make meal planning easier, grocery shopping more convenient, and recipe discovery something you actually enjoy.
Because when you’re already juggling medications, appointments, glucose readings, and everything else life throws at you, figuring out what’s for dinner shouldn’t be another source of stress.
Built From Personal Experience
One thing I want people to understand is that Diabetic Plate wasn’t created by a large corporation or someone simply following the latest health trend.
It was created by someone who lives with these challenges every single day.
I’ve experienced the frustration of unpredictable blood sugar, the physical toll of chronic illness, and the mental exhaustion that comes with constantly thinking about what you can and cannot eat.
I know what it’s like to look at a plate of food and see more than just dinner.
For me, it’s carbohydrates, fat grams, insulin, digestive enzymes, and the possibility of how I’ll feel afterward.
But I also know that food brings people together. It’s part of family traditions, celebrations, and everyday life.
A diabetes diagnosis shouldn’t take away the enjoyment of sitting down to a great meal.
That’s the philosophy behind everything I’m building.
Looking Toward the Future
Diabetic Plate is growing into something bigger than the original recipe website I envisioned.
I’m working to make it easier to find recipes based on nutritional needs, plan meals, create grocery lists, and discover new foods that fit into everyday life.
My hope is that Diabetic Plate becomes a trusted place people return to, not because they have to eat differently, but because they genuinely enjoy the recipes and resources they find here.
I’m not a doctor, dietitian, or professional chef. I’m a person living with diabetes who understands the daily challenges and wants to make things a little easier for others.
And while everyone’s nutritional needs are different, I believe good food, reliable information, and a supportive community can make a real difference.
Welcome to Diabetic Plate
If you’re newly diagnosed, have been managing diabetes for years, or are simply trying to cook healthier meals for someone you love, I’m glad you’re here.
I hope you’ll find recipes you enjoy, ideas that inspire you, and a community that reminds you that you’re not navigating this journey alone.
Thank you for being part of Diabetic Plate and helping me turn a personal struggle into something that can benefit others.
Because healthy eating shouldn’t be complicated, and it certainly shouldn’t be boring.
