So how did you hold up during Thanksgiving dinner? Darn it, I’m a bit late posting this, but in case you’re still up against some very large meals this weekend, have look at John Crowley’s useful Tips for Getting Through Thanksgiving with Diabetes. I especially like the notes on What to Do If You Blow It: “Don’t let one mistake at Thanksgiving spiral into five weeks of high blood sugar… from Thanksgiving all the way to New Year’s Day.” Right.
In any case, this week we’ve turned our attention to what to do about other people who get meddlesome while you’re trying to enjoy your food:
THE REMINDERS
Please add your submissions to the comments section in the original Week 2 post (or here if you must).
This week there will once again be 9 winners! Every week, one lucky reader will win one of the following six cool prizes (click on the images for product info):
And for this week alone, three additional contributors will win one of these fine items:
* An “Essential Bedtime Foot Treatment Kit” from Gilden Tree Creams, retail value $24.99
* An attractive and very practical aDorn diabetic messenger bag, retail value $89.95
* A copy of the newly revised “The Diabetic Athlete’s Handbook“ by Sheri Colberg-Ochs, retail value $19.95
** This week’s round will be closed for submissions at midnight Pacific time on Sunday Nov. 30.**
So think hard about how you handle them diabetes-police-types and let us know! Cheers.
I usually take a two-pronged line of attack. First I’ll throw out some little information tidbits, like “Did you know that Sweet potatoe pie is a bigger carbohydrate than Pumpkin pie?” (Pumpkin pie doesn’t raise my blood sugar at all as long as I remove the crust piece at the top; while sweet potatoe will raise it for weeks.) That usualy does it for all but the worst offenders.
sECONDLY, if they just won’t stop being annoying, I’ll ask them “What’s you blood sugar, sweetie?” (Of course they don’t know). “Mine was 99 this morning, and my last Hemoclobin A1c was 5.6; which means my blood sugar is usually no higher than 120, which is very well-controlled. I think I know what I’m doing here.”
And if they get all defensive, I just point out that “now you know how I feel when you question me about my diet. My blood sugar and Hgb A1c are well controlled, I’ve had classes about this, and I’m an adult who knows what they’re doing. When you get critical of my food choices, it’s very hurtful and embarrassing for me.”
Only the most insensitive and rude people proceed beyond this point; and silence works wonders for these folks, while drawing the rest of the family to your side. (Heh-heh-heh.)
Just make sure you know your blood sugar and Hgb Aic, and feel confident in your own choices. One day of splurging is not the end of the world; but one day of splurging if you still continuously drink regular sodas and eat ice cream can be catastrophic. Knowing your limits and understanding your diabetes will make you more in control and healthier, anyway.
~~JD~~
I have two approaches for the “diabetes police”.
If they are a coworker or other acquintance, I get right back in their face, pointing out to them that what I eat and what I do is none of their business. If they continue, I just walk out of the room. The good news, is that they rarely repeat the behavior.
If they are family, I take the time to educate them especially since most of my family is either diabetic or pre-diabetic (type 2s).
Very few people around me are diabetes police though, as I am well known to “eat healthy”. In fact, I have such a reputation that my dog friends always bring me a diet coke when they have goodies to share. The fact that they took the time to get me one, guilts me out of trying the treats, even though we’re running off the sugar.
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I usually try and let them know that as long as I have insulin I can eat “with in moderation” what I desire. I also let them know that I have to be careful but that sugar is not off limits. I try to give a little education but then change the subject pretty quickly. Thankfully I don’t have many diabetes police in my life. Thanks for the contest Amy!
I usually them that diabetes is unique in the way it manifests itself in each person and what each diabetic can eat and the amount is different in each of us. We are all different, just like snowflakes.
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Mine are in video form:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrm7z0owxoc
What about salt?
There are salt police women too.
I think most diabetes police are a result of poor diabetes education, so my response is always one of explanation–”Having diabetes doesn’t mean I can’t eat certain foods, it just means it’s a bit more complicated for me.” Dispelling the sugarfree-only myths out there is important for all of us. Since most people are curious about how we cope with diabetes, their concern and seemingly noisy interest in our lives is understandable; there’s no reason to get all defensive. Next time someone tries to send you on a diabetes guilt-trip, use it as an opportunity to teach them so that it won’t happen again to you or another diabetic.
I have a terrible confession to make. I was once a DP (Diabetes Police). I was part of a group, keeping an eye on a co-worker. We hid the candy, we stood next to the doughnuts, we handed him plates of veggies. At that time, I didn’t have a clue other than keeping him from sugar. He’s an older Catholic priest, so God help him, there were a lot of us keeping our eyes on him. Then – I was diagnosed. He came to me and said, “Murrays makes the best tasting sugar free cookies.”
So, having been one of those annoying people, and having attended the classes – I try to be kind to those who are trying to run (umm, ruin?) my life. As many commentors above said, the best idea is to do some educating. Not only are we helping ourselves, but we’re doing a favor for the next person with diabetes that they meet. It’s not that hard and I’ve found that most people are interested, or at least listen politely.
RE: Diabetes Police.
Let’s count carbs together, Yea, Yea, Yea!
What are your best numbers?
Let’s have a real discussion about this condition. We can start after I take a bolus for the donut.
Thanks, Dan
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Ruth
** THIS POST IS NOW CLOSED FOR COMMENTS/ CONTEST SUBMISSIONS. GOOD LUCK IN NEXT WEEK’S ROUND! **
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