When we think about health crises, we often imagine sudden heart attacks or rare genetic disorders. But some of the most dangerous threats to our health develop slowly, often going unnoticed until it’s too late. One of the most quietly devastating of these is diabetes—a disease that affects millions worldwide and increasingly targets people at younger ages.
What makes diabetes particularly frightening is that its symptoms can be subtle, even deceptive. One might think that avoiding sweets is enough to stay safe. But as one heartbreaking case shows, diabetes doesn’t always follow the rules we expect—and sometimes, the consequences can be sudden, severe, and irreversible.
A Rising Threat: Diabetes Among Younger Adults
Diabetes has traditionally been viewed as a disease that affects older individuals. However, recent trends show a worrying shift. More and more people in their 20s and 30s are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a condition previously rare among younger adults. Sedentary lifestyles, processed diets, and mounting stress levels are all contributing factors.
Worse still, many cases go undiagnosed until complications arise, by which time the damage may already be done. And even when individuals are aware of the condition, common misconceptions—like assuming you’re safe if you don’t eat sugary snacks—can create a false sense of security.
This brings us to a story that has moved many and serves as a powerful cautionary tale.
The Tragic Story of Ms. Luong: A Life Cut Short by Diabetes
In the final months of 2020, Ms. Luong, a dedicated 36-year-old teacher at a Chinese-language primary school, began experiencing health issues that she brushed off as exhaustion.
She was known for her tireless commitment to her students, even amid the challenges brought on by COVID-related closures. Her days were long, filled with lesson planning, makeup sessions, and managing the added academic pressure her pupils faced.
At first, the symptoms were vague—fatigue, occasional abdominal pain, and a racing heartbeat. But as is often the case with caring professionals, she kept pushing forward, too busy to prioritize her health.
Then, without warning, she collapsed in her classroom. Medical help was rushed to the scene. Doctors diagnosed her with acute diabetes complications, pointing to extremely high blood sugar levels that had gone undetected and untreated.
Despite receiving emergency medical care, her condition rapidly deteriorated. Within eight hours, she had fallen into a coma—and tragically, she never woke up.
“She Rarely Ate Sweets” – The Surprising Truth About Diet and Blood Sugar
In the aftermath of her death, Ms. Luong’s husband was stunned. Through tears, he asked the doctors how his wife—who rarely consumed sugary snacks or desserts—could have developed such a severe form of diabetes.
It’s a question many people might ask. And the answer reveals a crucial misunderstanding that can have deadly consequences.
A closer look at her daily routine revealed that while she didn’t indulge in obvious sources of sugar like cakes or candy, her cooking habits and food choices contributed heavily to high blood sugar levels. Here are some of the culprits:
🥘 The “Healthy” Foods That Were Actually High-Risk
1. Eggplant Cooked with Oil and Spices
Eggplant is often considered a healthy vegetable. It contains essential nutrients including fiber, protein, calcium, and iron. But when it’s cooked the way Ms. Luong preferred—fried in oil with heavy seasoning—its health benefits can be outweighed by its oil absorption and fat content.
She was reported to be 1.5 meters tall (4’11”) and weighed 65 kilograms (143 pounds)—placing her in the overweight category, which is a known risk factor for insulin resistance and metabolic complications.
Regular consumption of oily meals, especially in a body already prone to weight gain, can spike blood glucose and impair insulin sensitivity.
2. White Cauliflower Stir-Fried in Lard
Cauliflower on its own is low in calories and carbs—a good option for diabetics. However, frying it in hog lard, as she often did, dramatically increased the fat content of her meals. While fats digest slower and can lower immediate sugar spikes, saturated fats are linked to worsening insulin resistance, liver stress, and long-term cardiovascular risk.
Over time, such dietary habits—especially when compounded with limited exercise—can silently set the stage for chronic blood sugar elevation.
🚫 Other Common Foods That Spike Blood Sugar
Even beyond Ms. Luong’s personal preferences, there are several everyday food items that people mistakenly believe to be safe. In reality, these foods can wreak havoc on blood sugar levels:
3. White Bread
Made with refined flour, white bread has a high glycemic index. This means it’s quickly broken down into glucose in the body, causing sharp spikes in blood sugar. Even small amounts, when eaten regularly, can increase the risk of diabetes—especially when paired with fatty or processed foods.
4. French Fries
Fried in oil, packed with carbs, and often salted, French fries are among the worst offenders for diabetics. The double-whammy of high fat and high carbs means that fries not only raise blood sugar—but keep it elevated longer.
5. Bottled Tomato Sauce
Many store-bought condiments, including tomato sauce, contain added sugars that are easy to overlook. Just one tablespoon of sauce can have as much as a teaspoon of sugar. Frequent consumption adds up, often without the person realizing it.
6. Canned Soups
While homemade vegetable soup can be a diabetic-friendly meal, canned versions often include hidden sugars, corn syrup, and excess salt. These additives help with shelf life and taste—but harm metabolic health.
7. White Rice
A dietary staple for millions, white rice is a high-carb grain that rapidly converts to glucose in the bloodstream. When consumed in large portions, it can raise blood sugar levels almost as quickly as sugary desserts.
Pro Tip: Diabetics and pre-diabetics should choose brown rice, quinoa, or whole grains, and pair them with leafy greens and lean protein for better glycemic control.
📉 Lessons Learned: Managing Diabetes Beyond Sugar
The tragic case of Ms. Luong highlights a painful truth: diabetes is about more than avoiding sweets.
It’s about understanding how your overall diet, cooking methods, body weight, and stress levels interact to affect your health. It’s about recognizing that “hidden sugars” and high-fat cooking can be just as dangerous as candy or soda.
More importantly, it’s a wake-up call for professionals, parents, caregivers, and anyone who feels “too busy” to address subtle symptoms. Fatigue, nausea, or stomach pain should never be ignored—especially when they persist.
🩺 Prevention and Management: What You Can Do
While diabetes remains incurable, it is highly manageable—especially when diagnosed early and addressed with a combination of lifestyle adjustments and, when needed, medication.
Here are practical steps everyone can take to protect their health:
✔️ 1. Regular Screening
If you’re over 30 or have a family history of diabetes, consider having your fasting blood sugar and HbA1c levels checked annually—even if you feel fine.
✔️ 2. Rethink Cooking Methods
Boiling, steaming, or baking your vegetables—rather than frying them in oil or lard—preserves nutrients and prevents unnecessary fat intake.
✔️ 3. Watch Portion Sizes
Eating smaller portions of high-carb foods, and replacing them with vegetables and lean proteins, can help stabilize blood sugar.
✔️ 4. Limit Processed Foods
Pre-packaged sauces, soups, and snacks often contain hidden sugars, trans fats, and refined starches that negatively impact blood glucose.
✔️ 5. Stay Physically Active
Even 30 minutes of walking a day can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and help regulate blood sugar levels.
💬 Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait for a Wake-Up Call
The tragic loss of a devoted, 36-year-old teacher is more than just an isolated incident—it’s a powerful reminder that diabetes is a silent threat, often masked by a busy lifestyle and well-intentioned but misunderstood eating habits.
Ms. Luong’s story underscores the importance of listening to our bodies, challenging our assumptions, and choosing nourishment that truly supports long-term health.
In memory of those who didn’t get a second chance, let’s take better care of ourselves—and each other—before it’s too late.
