When Cleo Sloan’s father was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it rocked her family. “We were confused and overwhelmed,” she says. “There was so much to learn, and food became this huge source of anxiety.”
Cleo, a self-proclaimed food lover and weekend meal prep queen, decided to help in the best way she knew how: by cooking.
“I didn’t want my dad to feel like he was being punished by food,” she says. “I wanted him to feel cared for.”
So she spent a weekend reading, planning, and testing out recipes that were diabetes-friendly without being bland. Instead of counting every carb or restricting entire food groups, Cleo focused on balance—pairing complex carbohydrates with fiber, healthy fats, and proteins to keep blood sugar stable.
She started small. Breakfasts that kept her dad full without spikes. Lunches he could reheat at work. Dinners that were familiar but made smarter—like chili with extra beans and veggies, or pasta made from lentils, served with a rich tomato sauce and grilled chicken.
What surprised her most was how quickly her dad adapted. “He didn’t feel deprived,” she says. “He felt supported.”
Meal prep, once a personal habit, became a family ritual. They’d cook on Sundays, package meals together, and talk about how their bodies felt. Over time, Cleo noticed her own energy levels improve, too. “I realized these meals weren’t just helping him—they were helping all of us.”
Today, Cleo shares her tips with others through community classes and online videos. But her heart always comes back to that first meal she made for her dad. “Food is love,” she says. “And when it’s made with care, it can heal more than just blood sugar.”
