Stumble It!
Halloween Reflections: What is Bolus-Worthy?
One of the wonderful things about the online diabetes community is our ability to create our own language. We have SWAG Bolus, Rage Bolus, Real People Sick, and one of my favorites, bolus-worthy.
With the full holiday season just around the corner (everyone got their Halloween costume ready?), we PWDs are going to be inundated on an almost regular basis with folks offering up the sugary sweets that come with this loathsome time of year. And while we all know the “tools of the trade” and the tactics for survival, it sometimes comes down to a much more emotional decision: is this particular treat bolus-worthy? Is it really worth the stress and anxiety of dealing with measuring and dosing, testing and retesting, and potentially screwing up our BG control for the whole day?
How do YOU decide whether or not to indulge in that rare Snickers bar or frosting covered snowman? When is worth the risk of “ruining” a perfectly good blood sugar track? I wrote about this around the same time last year, when my oldest daughter offered for the very first time to treat me to a cup of coffee — and I almost said no. If I can’t deal with the consequences of a single latte, how can I ever manage Halloween? Or any of the holidays, for that matter?
Once again, I turned to the TuDiabetes community to find out how others handle the temptation of potentially bolus-worthy goodies, and how they manage the side dish of guilt that so often comes with indulging.
One TuDiabetes member, PowerPumper, responded to our little survey by saying, “I refuse to feel guilty. I work hard at controlling my sugars and taking care of myself. When I indulge, I indulge. I celebrate. I enjoy. I feel good about the occasion and the people I’m with. I may or may not pig out; I likely will, but there have been times I’ve been restrained. I bolus for it, and I test and adjust and test some more.” Seems like a smart sensible way to handle the situation. I wish it were that easy for me to ‘let go’!
Adhering to the common “don’t arrive hungry” rule, Leona noted that she tries to eat a protein bar before in advance of being faced with tempting treats. “I’m far less likely to be hungry!” She also asks if others want to share her treat, and indulge with her. That way, she gets a little less damage than if she’d eaten the whole thing, but still gets a chance to enjoy.
Guilt, it seems, is all in the mind anyway, as Mark notes: “It doesn’t matter what it is, it’s going to raise the blood sugar.” So true! How many of us have been recommended apples or granola bars as “safe alternatives”? Last time I checked, granola bars still had plenty of carbs!
There’s always the “one-day deal”: in a recent Self magazine article, a woman was quoted saying that she keeps her weight controlled by celebrating each holiday, just once. That is, she enjoys herself on that one day, guilt-free, and then is very is strict about getting “back on track” the next day. Not a bad idea, if you can manage it. The holidays are stressful enough as it is, right?
So, do you save your “bolus-worthy” choices for anything in particular?
As Mark pointed out, “This is the only life we get.” We should enjoy it, especially the special times with our families. But enjoyment doesn’t always have to mean indulging in treats, correct? Of course, enjoying good food is the spice of life, but it’s all about that precarious balance … deciding, over and over, which special choices are — and which are not — “bolus-worthy.”
I make the choice a lot at work and it’s kind of become a running joke. One of the few sweets I really like is brownies and people at work know it. Before I was diagnosed if people brought them in I would find one at my desk, the bosses always asked me if I wanted the crusty ones (my favorite type) and so on. Then I got diagnosed and things changed. I would eat a small one here or there but mainly avoided them. Then earlier this year they started a fit club at work and every week used to have a healthy pot luck which one of the items was a “healthy brownie.” So I have an IM conversation with the person who cooked them and found out that they were a box mix called no pudge and was made with fat free yogurt. I checked it out online to and after a brief back and forth I said (copied from the IM log) “i’d have to take extra insulin and, no offense to your brownies, i dont want to do that for a fake brownie!” So that story went around and now I get people with various baked goods and candy asking me if it’s worth it or not.
I have no problem dosing to cover something I want, will enjoy eating and don’t have very often but I’m not going to do it just for the sake of fitting in or because I can. Luckily for me I’m not a fan of American chocolate or candy so it’s very easy to pass it up. If they started giving out brownies though I may be in trouble!
Posted by: kdroberts | October 30th, 2009 at 7:31 amWhen my son was diagnosed at two years his endo said he could eat absolutely anything (in moderation) as long as he tests and covers with insulin. We have always operated that way. He is well-adjusted, happy and in has great control. He knows if he splurges, he will test, re-test and correct for the next several hours and it is usually worth it for him.
Posted by: Vanessa | October 30th, 2009 at 8:20 amI’m with PowerPumper – I eat what I like, bolus and try to keep an eye on my BG. It’s not always perfect, and I don’t expect it to be, but I do my best to be aware, responsible and conscientious about how I do it. I think Halloween is easier because finding the carb counts for particular candies is as easy as reading a package or looking online. If only Thanksgiving dinner or homemade baked goods were as simple – I still indulge then too, but obviously having to guess carbs adds another variable.
Anyway, for me, bolus-worthy is anything I like to eat as long as it’s done in moderation. It doesn’t have to be so black and white, choosing between denying oneself and pigging out.
Posted by: Lee Ann Thill | October 30th, 2009 at 8:26 amI hope you don’t mind, I refererenced this great blog post in mine today.
The only way I can combat high BG is to exercise it down. So, my question is: What is Sweat Worthy?
I can totally relate to kdroberts who is a brownie fan. . even a crunchy-edged-brownie fan! I LOVE chocolate and being a newly diagnosed Type II, this is a tough Halloween for me. One fun-sized bar is no fun whatsoever as it requires at least 30 mins of heart-pounding, sweaty producing exercise. So, unless I want to spend HOURS at the gym, I’m going to have to be VERY choosey about my Halloween treats this weekend. I’m thinking Reeses!
Posted by: Barbara Campbell | October 30th, 2009 at 8:45 amHere’s a helpful guide for the carb counts for all those “fun size” candies. You’ll still have to decide if it’s bolus-worthy, but at least you’ll know what to bolus…
Posted by: ML | October 30th, 2009 at 11:07 amhttp://files.e2ma.net/25215/assets/docs/candy_carb_guide.pdf
I really believe type 1 diabetics can eat whatever they want as long as they bolus for it, but having said that, I think eating refined sugars is never a good idea for anyone. We have one life, that’s very true. And is it worth chipping away at the years you have left just to eat junk?
I have a massive sweet tooth but I’ve found that the craving and desire for sweets goes away when you stop eating them regularly. Fruit starts to taste sweeter and more satisfying when you cut down on refined sugars, for example.
Posted by: Lauren K | October 30th, 2009 at 3:00 pmHi Amy! I’ve been thinking about Halloween candy too. I’m trying to stay away from it altogether. I just blogged about spending Halloween with my black cat instead of M&Ms. Did you guys know cats can’t taste sweet?
Posted by: jessica | October 31st, 2009 at 8:12 amhttp://asweetlife.org/jessica-apple/blogs/food-nutrition-blogs/a-black-cat-halloween/2099/
My trick or treat “treat” tonight are holographic pencils. And when they’re not appropriate (like if the trick or treater is in arms), a small box of raisins (although that may not be age-appropriate either, I trust the parents to put them aside until it is.)
. I. Will. Not. Give. Candy.
Posted by: whimsy2 | October 31st, 2009 at 3:37 pmI check my blood sugar a lot so that I can indulge on Halloween. I only eat my favorite chocolate and make sure I get in some exercise and plenty of water. I don’t eat anything sweet too late so that I don’t have fluctuating glucose numbers in the middle of the night. I also do this from time to time just to enjoy icecream or any carbs in general-say like once a month. Its hard work checking a lot but worthwhile for me since I would prefer something sweet over filet mignon any day. Thats just me.
Posted by: Sysy Morales | November 1st, 2009 at 9:29 amSadly, I generally just avoid the situation all together. It just isn’t worth all my hard work and efforts for probably 24hours of struggle later. The serious up and then the crashing down and then the rebound and then the nausea….. NOT worth it for something that isn’t even healthy for me anyway. Not to mention its humanly impossible to get the dosage correct. At least that’s how my experience sees it.
Posted by: Chris | November 2nd, 2009 at 7:23 amSo what do I do? I don’t indulge – hardly ever. once you get yourself on a routine of never indulging its easy to maintain. my diabetes control is more important to me than a peice of cake. It’s unfortunate, but 6 years of type 1 has lead me to that answer only.
HOWEVER, my idea of indulging is having one or two bites (usually of whatever my husband is having) does that count? it saves me SOO much trouble (though still wrecks a touch of havvock)
and type 1’s can NOT eat whatever they want, Its not as easy as “Oh 15 grams of carbs, 1 unit of insulin) sugars, refined sugars, are not that cut and dry. Your body doesn’t process it nearly as neatly as THAT, though what a dream that would be.
Good post and a fantastic read. You have raised some valid points. Great work, keep it up. I love returning back to this site and reading the quality content you always have on offer.
Posted by: TW | January 9th, 2010 at 11:35 pm