Holiday Treats Present a Challenge for Diabetics

Q:  As a diabetic, the holiday season and all the food that accompanies it pose real challenges. I want to enjoy some of the foods that I seldom eat, and don’t want to make friends and family feel bad who have worked to prepare a meal intended for celebration. Do you have any suggestions on how I can navigate the season?

A:  There are currently about 20 million Americans with diabetes. Unfortunately, 3 to 4 million of them are unaware that they have it. Increased thirst, frequent urination, and blurry vision are the most likely early symptoms that should not be ignored. The numbers of Americans with diabetes are on the rise as we as a nation are increasingly obese. It’s reasonable to assume that some may become aware of these first symptoms of diabetes after some holiday overeating.

There are a few things one can do to maximize enjoyment and keep within reasonable blood sugar levels.

• Measure blood sugars more frequently, especially if you know that you’ve overindulged. Call your doctor to see if you need to adjust your medications, especially if you’re on insulin.
• Be selective about what you eat, preferably selecting small portions and sampling a wide variety of what may be available.
• If you choose to have a few treats, make an accommodation elsewhere in your diet to account for that selection.
• Stay active.
• Watch your weight carefully. You may want to let the hosts of a gathering know ahead of time that you are a diabetic, not to affect the food served, but to inform them that your lighter intake is due to the need to carefully manage your diabetes.
  Article Created: 2001-12-14
  Article Updated: 2001-12-14

  
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