Fellow Diabetics

[autumnsparklemom]

How do you handle the holidays and all the good food out there? I have type 2 diabetes and struggle through the holidays.

[freedavis]

You just have to eat in moderation.

[lvstephanie]

I'll also echo to just moderate what you eat. Also try looking for healthy options... Like if you are baking cookies, try to use sugar substitutes (including the natural substitutes) or honey instead of processed sugar. Or try to fill yourself with the healthy side dishes (since many of those tend to have the nutritious fruits and / or vegetables) instead of "saving room for dessert." And as strange as it sounds, don't be afraid to snack throughout the day... Your body has a feedback mechanism that tells your brain when you are full (or at least your hunger is satiated), but it needs a little bit of time for your GI system to digest your food (in order to get the feedback) so by snacking, you give your body time to establish this feedback so you tend to eat less. Moreover, the harmful aspect of the high blood-sugar is the spikes that occur after a meal; by eating more often throughout the day decreases these spikes (your blood-sugar tends to plateau while snacking while will vary between spikes and lows with having just a few meals a day).

[sak4kat]

Thank you for this advice.  My sister is a type 1 diabetic... she's been on insulin since she was 9.  Granted there is a large age span between her and I so I've never had to be directly involved with her diet.  Now my guys mother was just diagnosed with type 2 and she's gone from one end of the spectrum to the other with her diet and I fear she's not eating properly now.  So I'm sitting on the sidelines trying to learn as much as possible.

[mardukblood2009]

My dad is diabetic and I don't believe he has made any changes at all.

[loulizlee]

I feel for you.  It is difficult sometimes.  I agree with eating anything in moderation.  I love bread, and I was afraid I could not have any, but, as my endocrinologist said, moderation, moderation, moderation.  And stay away from white bread.

[unsupermom3]

I am not diabetic but my Mom is and I have a hard time to get my mom to watch what she eats.

[hicaniplay]

I am not diabetic but my Mom is and I have a hard time to get my mom to watch what she eats.

I feel for you. I'm lucky enough not to have it, but my mother does. I try to cook for her as much as possible, in a sort-of "forced" healthy eating (for us both, I can always use more moderation in my own diet), but during holidays you can't tell your mom that they've had enough cookies and deserts xP
Ok that's mostly a joke, she's pretty good about moderating herself nowadays.

(Also, even though she's never told me she was happy I worried and managed her meals for her, she DID say as much to my sister, who told me. So that's something - I know she really appreciates it, despite the occasional complaints.)

Dunno if meal service is an option for you, but if you can, people always appreciate you cooking for them. (Can always start slow too, by just decreasing meal size slightly or swapping out "bad" stuff for better etc. Even a few good meals and snacks a week is helpful!) If you can't cook for her, maybe help her plan out a meal plan and weekly grocery shopping? I know my mom was a bit against it and dismissive when the doctor and dietitian tried, but I picked up the pamphlets and chatted about it and she started coming around. Sometimes it just takes a different person saying the stuff at a different time.

Also, get pantry organizing things. Boxes and plastic containers. Don't pack them full, put just a few servings in each. Hide the worse stuff behind the better stuff (not all in one place) - out of sight out of mind. It sorta works, if you don't get so annoyed looking for a particular item you throw everything on the floor

My dad is diabetic and I don't believe he has made any changes at all.

Maybe you should casually chat with him about it? A kid's allowed to inquire about their parent's health. Maybe he's already managing it fine with medications, or maybe he needs a nudge from knowing you care and are willing to help to make a few changes.
My niece's dad was just in hospital due to complications. He refuses to make any changes though (I don't really know him to talk with him about it, especially with my sister having divorced him, but it obviously worries the girls a lot).

[patycake56]

by trying to watch my carbs

[mjdoug03]

Just eat a little bit of everything.  And then work out a little bit more!

[vickysue]

My dad is diabetic and I when I cook it is always with him in mind. the desserts  had splenda sugar in them.  I use very little in what I cook for him and when I make him cookies I always make them with honey.  So he does alright. But as with everything it is called moderation.

[Lindaroof]

I was just recently told that I am diabetic. I have so much to learn, but I am thinking that overall it will be common sense, learning to eat healthy and controlling portions is a great start. Good Luck to you!