Meriam: “Diabetes has strengthened our relationship”
Having struggled with depression, anxiety and eating disorders, and learnt to manage type 1 diabetes, long-distance runner Meriem Daoui is being hailed as one of the country’s most promising young athletes
Tell us about your diagnosis
I was diagnosed with type 1 when I was eight. I remember feeling really fatigued and thirsty and losing weight. The day I got diagnosed I had a swimming lesson at school and I felt really out of it. Mum took me to my GP and tests indicated I had glucose and ketones in my blood.
I was in hospital for about a week receiving treatment to stabilise my BGLs. I had a beautiful diabetes educator. I remember crying when she showed me the insulin injections, but they brought in a teddy bear called Ted who also had type 1, which made eight-year-old Meriem feel a lot better.
Did anyone else in your family have diabetes?
My younger sister was diagnosed last year. Both having diabetes has strengthened our relationship as we can relate to each other a lot more and help each other with diabetes management.
What was the toughest time for you?
I was diagnosed with anorexia when I was 12, which led to me developing depression and anxiety later on. It’s a horrible illness, but recovery is possible. I was a hospital inpatient for two months. My eating disorder negatively affected my diabetes management. Statistics indicate that people with type 1 are more vulnerable to developing eating disorders. In fact, there is an eating disorder called diabulimia, which only affects people with type 1.
There were many factors that led to my eating disorder, including being bullied at school and the huge focus on counting carbs to keep my BGLs under control.
Are you well now?
I managed to overcome most of the disordered eating by age 16, but I believe there is always a risk of falling back into an eating disorder. I have learnt healthier ways of addressing my negative thoughts and not falling back into disordered habits. I changed my mindset and saw food as fuel to nourish my body and improve my running.
Have you always loved running?
As a kid I always loved the feeling of running and being free, but I never thought I’d be a good runner. I surprised myself in high school when I did a 7km fun run without stopping. After the race I asked myself, ‘If this is possible, what else is possible?’
Tell us about your significant wins
In 2018, I won Hobart’s City to Casino fun run, and the Point to Pinnacle race, which is the world’s hardest half marathon. I won the
People with type 1 are more vulnerable to developing eating disorders
2018 Cadbury Half Marathon and the Full Marathon in 2019.
One day I hope to compete internationally and inspire others to participate in sport, including people with type 1 and Muslim women who wear the hijab.
What do you eat when you’re training?
I find my energy is more stable if I eat a lot of bread, pasta and rice, so if I’m doing four hours of running and gym work, I have breakfast twice. I have two pieces of sevenseed bread, and coffee with milk and honey. I’ll do a run and then eat the same thing again. Then I might have fruit salad before doing strength work at the gym, and lunch of sweet potato and mixed vegies, or a sandwich with cheese and salad, and a juice. I’ll have fruit or a smoothie for afternoon tea.
Dinner is whatever my mum has cooked, which is traditional Moroccan food, so couscous, tagines or maybe lentils with sweet potato and vegetables. Right before bed I’ll have another two pieces of toast with a warm drink, like Milo.
I usually give myself insulin three times a day, with each meal, but every day is different and sometimes my BGLs are higher or lower, so I adjust it to meet my needs. Running has helped me a lot with my diabetes management and I find my BGLs are more stable when I run.
What’s next for you?
I am currently a new graduate registered nurse working in oncology inpatients and outpatients. I would like to become a diabetes educator as I want to use my experiences to help others with diabetes.
I think it helps when you can relate to the ups and downs of diabetes and creating a safe environment where the patient doesn’t feel like they are being judged. I know how important it is for people to feel comfortable enough to ring up their diabetes educator if they’re struggling and ask for extra help and guidance.