And the Oscar Goes To . . .
The 91st Academy Awards are tonight! And we can’t help but look ahead to the night’s big winners, best-dressed celebs and stunning musical performances. But as viewers, what we don’t see is the days of preparation, hours of primping and the strict diets that are a part of celebrities’ schedules leading up to Oscars weekend.
In what can only be described as a marathon of events, the famed Oscars can take a lot out of its honorees and guests, especially those living with diabetes. And while many celebrities have the liberty of ramping up their diet in the weeks before the big event, those with diabetes have to be cautious of their diet and sugar intake on a daily basis -- their lives depend on it!
Celebrities with Diabetes?
You bet! In fact, a quick google search led us to 30+ famous folks who have spoken publicly about their diabetes. So, in preparation for this year’s show, we're taking a look at a few movie and television stars living with diabetes today:
Tom Hanks
The two-time Academy Award winner (Forrest Gump, Philadelphia) and five-time nominee opened up about his struggles with type 2 diabetes in 2013. After having struggled with high blood sugar for years, Hanks now maintains a healthier lifestyle in order to manage his diabetes. Furthering his self-care efforts, Hanks once told an audience at the BFI London Film Festival that he would no longer be willing to gain or lose weight for roles as that process comes with its fair share of health risks.
Halle Berry
Academy Award winner (Monster’s Ball) Berry shared with Marie Claire that since her type 2 diagnosis, she has been living a much healthier lifestyle. She added that living with diabetes has actually helped her as a parent. She is extremely conscious of what her children are eating and how much sugar they consume on a daily basis.
Salma Hayek
A 2003 Best Actress nominee (Frida), Hayek had gestational diabetes while pregnant with her daughter Valentina in 2007. Despite having a family history of diabetes, Hayek was not aware that the illness that she felt during pregnancy was diabetes until she got tested. Since then, she has been open about having gestational diabetes, and has shared her story with parenting magazines.
Victor Garber
Having starred in films, musicals and television shows, Garber is no stranger to the spotlight. He has used his fame as a platform to speak out about the stigma behind type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed at age 12, he shares how it took him a while to take his diagnosis seriously. Today, Garber has joined forces with Beyond Type 1, a non-profit dedicated to education, advocacy and the path to a cure for Type 1 diabetes.
Vanessa Williams
Actress, singer, model and author, Williams has starred on just about every stage imaginable. The star is also has type 1 diabetes. Since her diagnosis at a young age, she has been living a healthy lifestyle in order to keep her blood glucose levels managed, and supports many diabetes charities.
As for our team? We’ll be excitedly watching it all unfold from the comfort of our couches -- with some healthy snacks, of course. Check out our recipes for low carb mozzarella sticks, baked spinach chips and Thai chicken lettuce wraps. Happy viewing!
