Three legged stool analogy

There are 3 legs to a stool, these are the foundations for Mate Huka management

1. Kai (food)

2. Movement (physical activity)

3. Medicine

It is all about balance, you need to have each of the legs working well, and be at the right length to be standing up correctly (keeping well with Mate Huka).

If you are only eating the right kai and moving, but not taking your medicine, then your stool will only have 2 legs, and it will be off balance.

The Legs are important parts of diabetes management, they are like the 3 pou (pillars) needed to be well with Mate Huka

Healthy Eating/kai: This leg represents a balanced diet, focusing on portion size, appropriate carbohydrate intake, and plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. It's the foundation of the stool. A wobbly leg (unhealthy diet) makes the whole stool unstable.
Movement: This leg represents consistent physical activity, which helps the body use insulin more effectively and improves overall health. It strengthens the stool and makes it more resilient. A lack of exercise weakens this leg.
Medication (if needed for management): This leg represents any medications prescribed by a doctor, such as oral medications or insulin injections. It provides extra support to keep blood glucose levels in check, especially when kai and movement alone are not enough. This leg is sometimes necessary to stabilise the stool.

All three legs must be balanced to be healthy, e.g. if you only have exercise and eat the right kai, you are missing one leg and the stool cannot stand. If you only take medication and have healthy kai, you still only have two legs. You need all three together to be standing firm (healthy).

Overall

Balance is Key: All three legs are necessary for a stable stool (good diabetes management). If one leg is weak or missing, the stool becomes wobbly, this means your blood glucose may be high and it can lead to potential health complications.
Interconnectedness: The legs support each other. Healthy kai makes movement more effective, and both can reduce the need for medication. However, neglecting one area can make it harder to manage the others and may make it necessary for more of one of the other legs (longer leg) to keep the stool upright.
Personalised Approach: The size and strength of each leg might vary depending on the individual. Some people might manage their diabetes mainly through kai and movement, while others might require medication as well. Somebody might need a longer leg or a wider leg, depending on their blood glucose levels.