[akielpinski]

Hi Kristina,

I am a young adult (I'm 24) and I'm constantly learning how to fit diabetes into my life, and life into my diabetes. I use to go to game night hangouts like that and either a). be miserable that I couldn't have any deserts or b). eat it anyway and deal with the high blood sugar later.

Recently I have found a secret option c). none of the above. I am regimented (I eat relatively low carbs at each meal, and I don't vary too often), but when it comes to game nights or other activites, I bend the rules a bit without compromising my diabetes care. I either make a decision that I'm going to have a small piece of desert and give more insulin for it to cover the carbs, or I'm going to decide that I will enjoy the night and have a good time without eating the desert.

Here's a practical tip that I use often: eat before you go! Eat a big, healthy meal so you will be full and you will be less likely to want to eat. Another thing I like to do is come in with a plan. I say, ok I'm going to eat 20 g Carbs and that's it. So I pick my 20 grams carefully.

The biggest thing for me wasn't so much the fact that I couldn't have the deserts at get togethers. Being miserable that I couldn't eat like everyone else was just a symptom of a bigger problem for me. It was that I had to come to terms with my diabetes. It took me years to accept the fact that I have diabetes, and decide that I can enjoy life anyway. I don't know how long you've been a diabetic, but don't be too hard on yourself because this can be a really long process. I finally came to the conclusion that I am happiest when I am in control of my diabetes, and I live my life and fit diabetes into the picture.

I hope this helps. Don't give up because you can have a great and normal life with diabetes.