Know the Enemy: Preventing Weight Gain, Diabetes, & Disease

by Jodi Velazquez

Some things cannot be taught; they must be learned through experience, observation, documentation, and continuous research. Raising a child with Type 1 diabetes in a world overflowing with processed foods, busy schedules, and constant dietary temptations is no small challenge. In this heartfelt and practical memoir, the author shares a 16-year journey of navigating diabetes management while striving to build a healthier, more mindful lifestyle for the entire family.

What began as a mission to care for a young daughter evolved into a powerful commitment to better nutrition, balanced habits, and long-term well-being. Through personal experience, the book uncovers essential principles that became the foundation for success—along with the real-life obstacles that often stand in the way.

Inside, readers will find practical advice for supporting children with diabetes, including smart strategies for maintaining healthy eating habits at school, and simple yet effective lifestyle changes that can make a lasting difference. The author also highlights often-overlooked truths about nutrition and offers eye-opening comparisons between past and modern diets—insights that may surprise many readers, especially those born after 1990.

“Know the Enemy Preventing Weight Gain, Diabetes & Disease” is my gift to my daughter, now 25 years old, so she can forever know the learning process and valuable information I discovered while on our journey. It is also a gift to anyone who may be struggling with diabetes, who wants to lose weight, or who wants to learn about a healthier lifestyle for their family.

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2024

About the author

Jodi Velazquez was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Robert Morris University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications with an emphasis on writing skills. After graduating, Jodi left Pittsburgh to accompany her husband who accepted a job in Texas with the government. After multiple moves, and learning how stressful moving can be, Jodi began writing the “Slick Move Guide Secrets You Need to Know When Moving” to help others who were faced with relocation. The book is sold on Amazon and has been purchased by home builders, sports teams, moving companies, and the National Association of Realtors. In 2012, she self-published a “Professional Athlete Edition”. In 2014, Jodi Velazquez was interviewed as an “Ultimate Expert” about relocation in Woman’s World Magazine’s April 24th Edition. Also, in 2014 the Slick Move Guide Latest Edition received the 2014 – 2015 TAZ Award for Business & Reference (Pittsburgh, Pa Author Award). In 2022, she released an updated version of the original, the “Slick Move Guide”, which includes even more helpful information, has a new cover and is slightly smaller to fit in your bag for the on-the-go reader.

Reviews

[Heather Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this in a Goodreads giveaway. It was very insightful and was easy to read. It’s not written by a medical doctor, but still had tokens of information through her own trial and error. What I liked: The memoir/self-help mix works well. Velazquez doesn’t just lecture—she shares queries, failures, breakthroughs. That makes the advice feel more relatable.