[hodgsonsurvivor]

Last week, my doctor told me that I needed to accept the fact that I was a diabetic and that I'd never be "normal" again. I cried all day because I couldn't help thinking about how the adjustments to my lifestyle would affect how I interact with my friends and family. Everyone says that all of my friends would understand and be supportive if I just tell them how important these changes are to my living a long and healthy life. Well...I did...and my best friend listened to my crying and all my reasons for being frustrated with how unfair life is. She assured me that she is willing to do whatever it takes to make this transition easier for me.

Here's the problem...3 days after the big "boo hoo" and reassurance, she's scheduled a game night at her place. She tells me that she's decided that all of the guests are to bring a dessert item and wants to know what I'll bring. As I started to protest, she immediately goes into giving me the reasons behind why she decided on just "desserts". I told her I'd think of something, but I have no desire to be around that much temptation, but, on the other hand, I don't want to miss the opportunity to hang out and have fun with my friends because of my lack of self-control. My other thought is that I won't have fun because I will be miserable watching everyone else indulge in all of the sugary decadence. My mom suggested I bring a sugar free dessert and eat that...but (if you've read any of my previous posts, you already know...) I have yet to find one that I can tolerate! I don't know what to do or to say.

I guess I'm stuck in that place between sticking up for myself and being the proverbial "stick in the mud". Anyone have any suggestions?

[xMenace]

Yeah, go and enjoy yourself! There will be temptations every day. You'll do fine.

Get some Courtland apples and make a sugar-reduced apple pie, 1/2 a cup of sugar. These behave very well for me. The reduced sugar makes them more flavorable and not bitter. Everybody will love it!

Bring a plate of cheese cubes to go with it. I don't know if it's a widespread practice, but cheese and apple pie go together. ( for a Wisconsinite like me, cheese and everything go together ) The cheese will slow down the action. If it's not a local thing, say your Canadian cousin recommended it

Bolus for them agressively but not too. Pre-bolus if you can.

[hodgsonsurvivor]

Originally Posted by xMenace

Bolus for them agressively but not too. Pre-bolus if you can.

What does that mean? Thanks for the suggestion! I know I'm going to go, but I was thinking about not taking anything and then leaving when the temptation became unbearable. I just don't want to guilt trip my friends, as I know questions will be asked about my ODD behavior!

[oneluckyplay]

I don't understand, i eat anything i want. I just need to know how much carbs are in the food i want and the correct portion size for it. I refuse to eat anything diet, it's just too nasty tasting.
Do you carb count? If you know your insulin to carb ratio then you should be able to eat what you want. Of course in moderation though. i will say i test 12-15 times a day to help me with it and readjust my sugar when needed. Bring anything you want( make sure it's really hits your sweet spot though) and plan to eat just that so you already know the carb count. Oh if you eat before you go to this party you won't be as tempted to eat other desserts while your there.

[hodgsonsurvivor]

Originally Posted by oneluckyplay

I don't understand, i eat anything i want. I just need to know how much carbs are in the food i want and the correct portion size for it. I refuse to eat anything diet, it's just too nasty tasting.
Do you carb count? If you know your insulin to carb ratio then you should be able to eat what you want. Of course in moderation though. i will say i test 12-15 times a day to help me with it and readjust my sugar when needed. Bring anything you want( make sure it's really hits your sweet spot though) and plan to eat just that so you already know the carb count. Oh if you eat before you go to this party you won't be as tempted to eat other desserts while your there.

That's how I've been living my life...but my doctor laid into me for it. He says that I have to eat balanced meals and snacks routinely. In other words...I am to have 3 servings of carbs per meal and 1 at bedtime, and I should plan my meals and snacks so that I'm eating at the same times everyday. I am so NOT structured and this is causing a serious damper on my day-to-day activities. That is my frustration and why this whole thing has me so upset. I guess, though, that my way hasn't been working so well...as my A1C results show.

[Penny]

kristina, when we have a gathering with lots of sweets and things I cannot eat, I just have a bit of everything or pick one or two and have a small portion. It is not going to cause too much damage if you don't make a habit of it. Also, just eat sensibly the rest of the day, so your numbers are not too high when you get there. Try to get a little exercise after it is over. Just don't stress out about it so much. My family is always trying to bring something they think I can eat. Yesterday, one of my daughters broght a pineapple cut up with grapes mixed in....she was very proud of thinking of it, instead of cake. I just took some on my plate and told her how good it was. This morning, my BS was 114. Just take it easy on yourself and others, smile and say Thankyou, even if you don't eat what they give you.

[oneluckyplay]

how often do you test? Testing is the biggest key for me.

[Gordonm]

If your Dr. truely said you would never be normal he should have his license taken away. This is absolutly absurd. You are as normal as the next person you just have to administer your insulin as needed. Your body does not do it for you. As for eating on a time schedule and the same portion size he is from the 70s and has not changed his approach. You can eat a normal diet and you can eat sugared sweets. Just in moderation and you have to calculate them and adjust your insulin for this. Just don't overdue it. I will usually just sample a few of the desserts. This type of Dr. should not be allowed to administer advice like this. Be careful and test often. Your friends will understand and if they don't who cares they must not be good friends then.

[Scratch]

You should consider finding another doctor who has a better understanding of handling type 1 diabetes using the basal/bolus method of insulin dosing. It won't make you free of having diabetes, but it can provide a way to live a life as full as any normal person's life.

I ran my second half-marathon yesterday. I didn't eat anything for breakfast, just some glucose tablets to raise my blood sugar a bit before running. Afterwards for lunch I ate some rice and sausage, then did that again for dinner because it felt good to eat after running like I had in the morning.

My day yesterday hardly resembled that doctor's advice of 3 servings of carbs with every meal and I ate when it was convenient for me.

[hodgsonsurvivor]

Thanks everyone...for all of the posts. I don't think I'm strong enough yet for all of this... I already don't want to comply but I am terrified of what another 20 years of non-compliance will do to my body. Reading all of your posts, I've decided that I am going to stick to the strict regimen suggested by my doc. Once I manage eating, testing, and taking my meds like I should, maybe then I'll be able to handle eating like I want and following through with still testing and taking my meds. I know my problem is me...not my doctor or my friends/family. As for the game night...I will go...FULL, and resist temptation until I go home.

[UpNorth]

Or why not make this game night the first day of your new life and start taking care of yourself properly AND having fun and enjoying life to the fullest at the same time
Every once in a while it is GOOD to enjoy things you normally would avoid, or well, should avoid *giggle* I have chocolate almost daily just because it's just too good so i just can't avoid it
If you want to bring something, you could just bring some healthy snacks, like vegetable sticks. I really like to have carrot sticks, cucumber sticks and celery and just dip it into a dip with sour cream base. It's healthy and yummy at the same time You can munch on it basically unlimited. Take some of the desserts if you want to, the key is moderation.

Strict diets are soooo stone age when it comes to diabetes treatment. Stick to it other days if you want to but don't be afraid to just let lose and enjoy sometimes. And your doctor should get a *****slap! You're totally normal and can live a completely normal life, only difference is that you need to inject insulin and monitor your glucose levels several times daily because your body doesn't do it for you.

[mzteacher]

you could bring some strawberries and drizzle dark chocolate over them...or bring them with a bowl of whipping cream sweetened with splenda....no one can tell the difference....keep a couple small individually wrapped dark chocolates in your purse or pocket and savor them while the others are eating the other desserts...try a small tastes of what os offered and savor...frozen little whip cream filled cream puffs are fairly low in carbs and can satisfy a sweet tooth!!
bring nuts...you will frind what works for you...it will just take time!! have fun!!
susan

[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.

[drummingfool]

I think we've all been, at least to some extent, in your proverbial shoes. I was diagnosed in high school and it was the toughest thing I've ever been through. I've been diagnosed for 8 years and am 21. It was all tough, but its all a matter of perception.

You CANNOT let other people's insensitivity to your condition ruin your good time. Your tolerance for being around sweets and things of the like will come in time. Until then, keep your understanding friends close. It's a tough transition.

That being said, STAY ON THE FORUMS! These are going to be one of the absolute best resources you will find anywhere. We're no substitute for a good doctor or endocrinologist by any means, but the insight that these people have is absolutely invaluable. Take it from someone who knows first hand. When I came to these forums for the first time I was at the end of my diabetic rope and clawing and screaming for help. My numbers are now outstanding and I've developed relationships that I wouldnt give up for anything.

I hope we can help with any other questions. Just post about anything at all! thats what were here for!

[MacDogg]

I think your Doc is a tool. It's true, life will be different but once you get yourself in control and now how to control your blood sugars it will be a piece of cake (pun not intended).
You think you have it bad? Shesh. I was 10 years old, diagnosed with T1 and stuck in the hospital for my 11th birthday and then I was released on October 31st, Halloween, with the doctor telling me that I could not eat candy or drink pop anymore!! How can you tell a kid that?!??! This was in 1987 and I took two shots a day and ate three meals and three snacks.

Now that I have been on the pump I eat anything I want as long it is has the Carb count on the back so I know how much insulin to take. A lot of home cooked desserts are a guessing game because you don't know how much sugar, frosting and candy are mixed in and spread on cake and brownies.
So, I don't eat them anymore. It's no big deal once you go 20 years without it!! You'll get used to it and heck, it might even keep us thin by skipping the dessert!!!