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Diabetes, fish oil and anemia. Date published: 12/17/2006 By JENNIFER MOTL QI have diabetes, and an estranged relative has invited me to his holiday dessert party. I have kept my diabetes a secret from everyone because I do not want people to judge me if I eat a piece of cake or cookies. I know how to manage my diabetes, and I can eat small amounts of sweets without spiking my blood sugar if the rest of a meal is low in carbohydrates. However, many people don't understand that, and I've heard them criticizing people with diabetes who eat sweets, even responsibly. Although I can enjoy a small amount of dessert safely, I don't trust my self-control at a party that has only desserts. I am afraid I will overindulge and hurt myself. You know all the complications of diabetes--heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, the works. I really want to renew my ties with my relative, though. What should I do? --Anonymous AYou are not alone. According to government estimates, about 18 percent of American adults have pre-diabetes, and another 7 percent have full-blown diabetes. That means if you invite four people to a party, at least one of them is sensitive to carbohydrate overloads. Frighteningly, many of these folks have not seen a doctor for testing and don't know they have a problem yet. Having diabetes is nothing to be ashamed of. I can't tell you what to do about the party--you will have to decide how much information you are comfortable revealing to your relative. But I hope your story will remind holiday hosts and hostesses everywhere to offer balanced menus. I confess I have not always taken this advice. Once, I had a pie party. But it's really best to provide not just desserts but also a veggie platter or fruit salad or assorted nuts--something safer for everyone. Besides, food tastes more luscious when you have a variety of flavors: not just sweet but sour, bitter and salty, too.
Date published: 12/17/2006
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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