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Aid Turturro: sopranos Star Puts a Hit on Diabetes
Author: Diabetes InfoOn The Sopranos, Aida Turturro plays the kooky sister of a mob boss an aging hippie whose New Age mantras served as a wake-up call for her brother as he recovered from a life-threatening gunshot wound. In real life, it was Turturro who had the wake-up call three years ago when her doctor sat her down and warned her about the damage type 2 diabetes could be doing to her body.
The actress, who was initially diagnosed in 2001, knew it was time to get her blood sugars under control. Working with her doctor, a nutritionist and other specialists, Turturro learned how to balance the busy life of an actor with the detailed diet, exercise and insulin therapy demands of her disease.
Priority Publications: How has diabetes changed your life?
Aida Turturro: I have a lot of details to think about every single day. I need to do a lot of planning about food. When I take a car ride, I cant stop at McDonalds. I have to think, Do I have a half an apple with me? Every time I go away, like for filming, I have to make sure I have my insulin and all my supplies.
PP: Do you think the demands of your career as an actor have made it harder or easier to manage your diabetes?
AT: I dont think I have it harder. But sometimes Im on the set, were filming in some weird location and its really hard. I have to watch the time and watch my food and sometimes its like, Guys, can you get me some turkey? Its hard for me if Im getting up and filming at 4 a.m. and the next day its 11 a.m. As a diabetic, you want to hold a regular schedule, like one meal at nine oclock and one meal at one oclock. But you cant always do that [on the set].
PP: What about scenes where you are supposed to be eating?
AT: I either dont eat or I tell them, Just give me vegetables. If its a wine thing, I cant drink the grape juice [they use] because its filled with sugar. So I have them go get this dye they use [in water]. I dont eat the pasta. They know on the set, so theyre fine when I say, I will not eat that.
PP: Has diabetes ever interfered with your career?
AT: Its never stopped me from going to work. There are days I have a little struggle, but nobody knows at work. But, you know, I feel so much better [since seeking treatment]. For a while there, because I was out of control with my blood sugars, I was up and down, moody. And I was wiped out for a while really exhausted. Now, Ive got my energy back and I do 80,000 things.
PP: In that sense, would you say this has been a positive experience for you?
AT: I wouldnt say it was positive. I think that its hard. I wish I didnt have it. Its a lot of work. But Im grateful that I have it in a time when, with hard work, you can live a very healthy life.
PP: Youve been visiting hospitals and speaking with other diabetics about your experience. Whats your motivating force?
AT: Ive seen how much it helps other people. Even if I get one person to start taking care of themselves, then Ive helped somebody.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/aid-turturro-sopranos-star-puts-a-hit-on-diabetes-111449.html
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