Holidays and feast. Tips and tricks for people with diabetes
However, you will have to plan in advance how to behave in possible situations. You are unlikely to resist the temptation to try the sweets presented to you (we bet they will magically disappear, one after another) and are unlikely to refuse to participate in a party where everything is waiting for you at once: alcohol, dancing, various dishes with a variety of carbohydrates . Even if you are using an insulin pump in combination with an LMWH system, managing your diabetes during the holiday season will be quite a challenge. That is why it is better to plan everything in advance, including probable unforeseen situations.
PARTIES AND ALCOHOL
Going to a party usually comes with additional challenges for people with diabetes: unfamiliar food, lots of alcohol, and maybe even dancing.
The first thing to take care of is food. In most cases, the menu of treats at the party is known in advance. Even if you find it difficult to find what you really like, and the choice of dishes is rather limited, do not miss the opportunity to plan ahead. Familiarize yourself with the menu, look for additional information about dishes you do not know and determine the approximate carbohydrate content of them, and make notes or entries in the carb counting application (if you use one). Feel free to contact the establishment where the party is to be held in advance and ask about the amount of carbohydrates in the dishes from the menu. You can also find this information on the Internet – many restaurants and bars publish the composition of dishes on their websites. If planning ahead is not possible and you are in doubt about the amount of carbohydrates in your meals, inject less insulin – if necessary, you can inject insulin later, after measuring your blood sugar.
The next aspect of planning is alcohol, an essential attribute of many parties, which greatly complicates the control of diabetes. Think about your favorite alcoholic beverages and how they usually affect your blood sugar levels. Unlike all other beverages, dry wines and spirits are generally low in carbohydrates. Remember that alcohol has the ability to lower blood sugar levels. Listen to your body and be aware that you may need to take insulin shots on carbohydrate drinks. If you wish, you can replace high-carb drinks with low-sugar drinks, diet drinks, or water. Otherwise, try to drink in moderation, limiting the amount of excess calories that enter your body. If possible, let someone in your company know that you have diabetes so that you can get the help you need if your blood sugar drops. If you are not ready to advertise your illness, have a medical card or bracelet with you. Finally, remember that the sugar-lowering effect of alcohol consumption lasts for 12 hours – you may need to reduce the amount of basal insulin.
THE TABLE BELOW SHOWS THE CARBOHYDRATE CONTENT OF SOME ALCOHOLIC DRINKS.
After a feast and a couple of glasses of something stronger, the party often turns into an incendiary disco. Even if you are not a fan of energetic dancing or just never considered yourself the king of the dance floor, do not underestimate the influence of disco – even light dance moves can lead to lower blood sugar levels. In addition, alcoholic beverages taken and possible errors in calculating the amount of carbohydrates can affect the decrease in glucose concentration. Consider lowering your basal insulin rate, or even create an entirely new mode for the evening ahead—you can switch to it right before the party without the hassle of programming your pump in the heat of the moment.
NEW YEAR’S Feast
The New Year’s holiday is the day when the hour “X” comes, and close relatives gather together at the magnificent festive table. The fact that you have diabetes does not exclude the possibility of participation in the meal. If you are using an insulin pump, you will be able to choose from a variety of options for delivering a bolus – for example, most pump users prefer to use a square wave bolus for these situations. However, this bolus mode is quite difficult to implement in practice, as you need to estimate how much carbohydrates will be consumed over the entire period of 30 minutes to 8 hours, even before programming.
As an alternative, it is recommended that you do small bolus boosts as you eat. A square wave bolus prevents your blood glucose levels from dropping even if you suddenly decide to forego an extra piece of chocolate or a new meal. You can pre-select the amount of bolus for a future snack (such as cake or chocolate) and deliver it using the meter so you don’t have to take out your pump.
Even if your plate looks overloaded with food, it is possible that the amount of carbohydrates in food is not that high. Of course, when counting carbohydrates, potatoes and olives should be taken into account, but, for example, turkey and vegetable salad not only contain the minimum amount of carbohydrates, but can also reduce the overall glycemic index of the food on the plate. Also, don’t forget the hidden carbs that can be found in dried fruits, breadcrumbs, and cranberry-type sauces. If, based on the amount of carbohydrates on your plate, you conclude that the glycemic index of a serving will be low due to the abundance of vegetables and fatty foods, you may want to use a Double Wave bolus for the main meal, and a normal bolus for dessert.
It is likely that your blood glucose levels will be higher than expected during the holiday period, either due to insufficiently accurate carbohydrate counting or due to reduced physical activity. Do not despair! Simply adjust your bolus schedule based on your actual readings. And of course, remember that it is better to adjust the bolus dose after the fact than to bring yourself to hypoglycemia and ruin your whole holiday.
SOME LAST TIPS
Regularly measure blood sugar levels or check the indicators of the LMWH system and make appropriate adjustments to insulin therapy.
Keep everything you need in case of hypoglycemia with you at all times. You should not wait until the last moment and run to the store in a rush to get the necessary funds – be fully equipped. If you are going to a party, take a medical card or a bracelet with you. This is especially important if you are not ready to advertise that you have diabetes. Be prepared to change. If necessary, do all the activities in advance, so as not to be caught off guard later. It will not be superfluous to prepare in case of illness. Of course, none of us would like to spend all the holidays in bed with the flu, but it’s best to pre-program a basal regimen according to your doctor’s recommendations. Also check your doctor’s opening hours during the holidays so you can contact them if you need further advice.