Christmas is coming... so how do you cope?

[mg_2204]

Hello everyone!

I've never had the opportunity to share much with other diabetics on the subject... and now that I can, I really want to know how you guys cope during Christmas time.

Out the window is the regular (safe) schedule... eating habits aren't far behind either. I get moody and tired. I'm really careful about what I eat but it seems the excitement combined with eating at odd times during the day, and less (quality) sleep finally take their toll on BG. Motivation then hits a low... not good in my case. And when I do keep the motivation up, BG seems to follow the same standard, for some unknown mysterious annoying reason. Ack!

What works for you? And what doesn't? Are family and friends understanding? When you're invited somewhere, do they shove food and/or drinks in your face no matter what you say?

Really looking forward to read from you guys...

Take care and have a great week all!

:)

Marie

[am1977]

I have to be honest, I do try to enjoy holidays, which means eating more foods that might not be the healthiest for me. I do think that food is part of what makes life enjoyable and to be so rigid about it on all occasions takes a lot out of the celebration. I am not saying I go overboard, I don't by anymeans- my blood sugar is always at the back of my mind, but I don't sit there and dwell on everything I eat either.

I would just try to enjoy your holiday to it's fullest extent. I would try to make wise decisions when it comes to food and exercise, but I would allow a little flexibility too. You can have some little extra treats, don't deprive yourself. It's part of what makes the holidays special.

Well, that's just my 2 cents. :) Hope you have a great holiday season.

Andrea

[DeusXM]

It really depends what regime you're on. If you're T1, and on a pump or a 4 jab system, then don't worry too much. You're going to be eating more, so quite simply, take more in your bolus. Take more jabs a day if you need to, because here's the big secret that no-one in the medical profession dares tell you when you're diagnosed: you can eat and do whatever you like. It's just a case of taking the right amount of insulin at the right time. If you're newly diagnosed then you might now be comfortable with making adjustments, so talk to your care team how best to proceed. If you've had the big D for a while now, hopefully you've got a pretty good idea of how your own body reacts to sugar and insulin, in which case, use that knowledge to give you more flexibility.

I see that you're now a UK resident. In that case, I recommend you have a look at Diabetes UK's website (www.diabetes.org.uk) and read their tips, and maybe for in the long run, you might also want to consider going on a DAFNE (Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating) Course.

The bottom line is, you can eat and do whatever you like as long as you're prepared, and when it's Christmas, you should enjoy yourself anyway. Don't worry too much about your BG being high since, after all, Christmas is only a few days of the year.

Hope you have a good Christmas, and don't diabetes stop you having fun!

[Jon]

Marie, I see by your profile that you are type 2. Unfortunately, you don't get the luxury of eating whatever you want and bolusing for the extra. Most people will understand when you tell them you are diabetic. In fact, many people take it too far, and will tell you what you should and shouldn't be eating. There are type 2 diabetics in my family, and so there is always a sugar free pumpkin pie, or other dessert, as well as low-sugar syrup for pancakes in the morning. Although you shouldn't treat it as a free for all on the food, you should be able to sample everything in small amounts, but you should try to drink extra water or diet soda to keep your bg down. Fill up on the meat and veggies, so you won't want to snack on the sugary foods as much.

The downside to binging: if you are normally in good control, and you binge for a day or two, you will probably not feel too good the next day.

[TAutry]

Hi Marie,

I may be a lone voice in the wilderness on this subject. I don't vary my eating any for the holidays. My situation doesn't offer opportunities for socializing or parties, so that isn't a problem. If I come up short anyplace, it would be a lack of activity. The holidays and the schedule of them often interferes with my exercise routine.

The best we can do as diabetics is focus on our long-term goals. My long term goal is the fewest complications possible in the future. I would prefer no complications. If sacrificing a piece of cake or a cookie now means that I get to keep all my parts live longer, then it is worth it. Keep your eyes on the prize and don't look back!;)

Travis

[Mick]

I cope very well, and have for each of the 38 holiday seasons that I've been diabetic. You see, I'm not a Christian, and I don't observe Christmas at all. Hanukkah isn't an "eating" kind of deal anyway, we just light the candles and sing some songs. Our other holiday seasons are Yom Kippur and Passover. Now, during the Yom Kippur observation, it's simple--it's a fast, and we don't eat anything at all for 24 hours--what could be easier?! Passover is the big problem--there's food everywhere, and loads of it. I eventually just learned that none of it was good for me, and to take joy in the meaning and story of the holiday, and not in the foods used to celebrate it.

Michael

[HeatherP]

I indulge myself. Like others have pointed out, though, I'm not T2, so I can't offer any specific advice for you to follow. Try to let yourself have a bit of goodies though - maybe excercise more? (I'm one to talk!)

[EdnBama]

Thanksgiving was my first big food holiday since I was diagnosed with T2 diabetes.

I was concerned about how it would go, because even though my family usually has a large meal with lots of meat and vegetables, the desserts are usually the main attraction.

Chocolate pie. Lemon pie. Coconut cream pie. Pumpkin pie. Pecan pie (my specialty :( ). Applesauce cake. I think you get the picture. Add to that that I love the sweet potato casserole with the brown sugar mixed in and marshmallows on top.

Well ... I found that the job I've done changing the way I eat this year made me realize on Thanksgiving day that I don't want all that stuff. Yes, a bite here or there ... but keeping tabs on my overall carbs, just as I would do at any other meal.

I imagine I had some extra carbs at that meal ... but not too many. And when I checked my bg later that day, it was within a normal range.

I have binged on cake before at a birthday party ... and my bg shot up because of the love affair I have with store-made cake icing (I pretty near sampled the icing from the cake until the cake was nekkid again!) ... but by the next morning, it was fine again.

As others have said ... doing the holiday foods in moderation is a good idea ... drinking water and even taking a walk will help you keep the bg from going too wild, depending on what you eat and how much.

And, as someone else also said, if you have good control overall, then one day of indulgence won't hurt you. Just get back to your regimen the day after.

I myself have decided that I cannot measure my happiness so much in terms of food anymore. Yes, I like to eat. And I do eat things I like ... but I won't let food control me or make me feel bad because of my diabetic condition.

--Ed

[rzrbks]

EdnBama

Add to that that I love the sweet potato casserole with the brown sugar mixed in and marshmallows on top.


Ain't nuthin' better:-

[am1977]

I used to love the store bought icing, particularly the vanilla. In the past I would buy it, and eat it by the spoonful. Now, of course, I can't really do that anymore, but I don't think I'd want to anyway.

Andrea

[mg_2204]

Hello!

Thank you everyone for your replies. I've read them with great interests! I do try to enjoy the Holiday Seasons... but I wish I could avoid the (dreadful) mood swings and being sick. Why must I have gastro enteritis every year, between Christmas and the New Year?!?? It simply kills me... Wish I could skip that 'tradition' this year... :(

Thanks again for your replies.

Marie

[mg_2204]

... wrote this a year ago. How time flies!

I don't really know why, I don't dread Christmas time at all this year. Perhaps because I'm on meds now, I'm really focussing on set goals this time? I've been cooking like a mad woman for the past few days now, from pâtés to Christmas cookies, but I've stuck to my regular diet nonetheless. I'll celebrate, have fun and yes, will have some of this and some of that. It's the first time in many years Christmas time isn't freaking me out. I'm so glad! It's also because I've found this wonderful forum, where I can count on support and great advice. I know I'm not alone. This forum has really made a difference in my life. Thanks!!!

[BeadieJay]

I don't dread Christmas time at all this year.

I'm so happy for you Marie - it's great that you're looking forward to Christmas this year, and that you can do all that baking and not be tempted by it. I wish I had your willpower.

I dread Christmas every year. I don't cope with stress very well, and I'm always worried that the kids won't enjoy themselves. Financially it's always a difficult time for us, but we've bought all the pressies, just need to wrap them, post a few more cards, put the tree up (tomorrow) and sit back and wait for the big day.

I am so glad that we always spend Christmas alone. If I lived nearer my family, we'd be spending it with them, and I know that food would be even more of an issue for me than it is now. I've decided that I will eat my normal christmas meal, but just have less potatoes and parsnips (yum), and fill up on meat and veggies. Then, several hours later I will have some christmas pudding (an English speciality). The rest of the time, there just won't be anything in our house to tempt me. I can cope with anything - except temptation :whistling

My sister came to visit last Sunday, and she bought a banana cake that my mum had baked for us. It was deeeeeeeelicous :p I spoke to my mum to thank her and she said "you had some? But it's got sugar in it!" Um, yes mum, I know how cakes are made....she had no clue whatsoever that I can eat anything (within reason). If we were spending the holiday with my folks, I know my mum would be watching every single mouthful, and I'd need a bottle of valium before the day was out :eek:

Now, if I could just find a way of learning to hate chocolate then life would be great :cool:

[Batty]

i hate the holidays, just because they are all family-related and i dont have any family in town(besides my grandmother who we dont talk to...cuz shes insane..and my moms parents were never really nice to her)..so its usually just me, my mom and my brother(but hes living in Jasper and not coming to see us til Jan 5th)...but that makes me not to worried around the holidays about BG levels, cuz I only get invited to my best-friends family dinner(her mom is like my second mother)..and she is always asking me what my blood sugar is and going "natalie, your sugar was pretty high at dinner, are you sure you should be eating all that desert? I don't want you to go higher and feel ill."(I went to her daycare after i got diagnosed, so she knows like..as much as my mom does haha) and then my mom usually has some friends over for a meal, and I usually don't eat a lot of it anyways.

[sillyboy]

i usually don't celebrate christmas not that i don't wan't to..just don't have anyone to celebrate it with lol....but getting back to the topic at hand..just like thanksgiving i have so much to be greatfull about..for one my health has been pretty good..i feel better about myself...and i haven't gotten a cold..even though i been out in some pretty lousy weather...

[zookeeper671]

I may be a lone voice in the wilderness on this subject. I don't vary my eating any for the holidays.

Nah... there's an echo in that wilderness. I'm the same way. The only people that offer me "treats" are my parents, and right after they offer them they say "oh wait... you can't have that, can you." http://smilies.jeeptalk.org/cwm/cwm/eek7.gif