Dealing with Diabetes
Helping Each Other

Dr. Ellen Andrews

On a recent plane trip the stewardess surprised me by announcing she would not serve the usual peanuts, because there were children on the plane with peanut allergy. No one seemed to object at all. I amused myself by imagining other announcements. There's a newly-sober alcoholic on the plane, so we are going to skip the cocktail service.

Or this: imagine that the restaurant hostess tells you "we have a diabetic here tonight, so we are limiting everyone's carbs to 60 grams per person." That will never happen. But it makes the point that what our neighbors do can affect us. If others eat sensibly, we might find it easier to do so too. Unfortunately, other people usually don't help. Except without realizing it maybe! They do often provide examples of what not to do. When you're eating out, notice how big people are. Notice their huge portions, their fried foods piled high, way in excess of what they need. They eat till they're stuffed. And how about those fat children eating snacks and drinking a 20 ounce soda in the grocery store, as though they hadn't eaten for days and can't wait till they get home?

When you are out with other diabetic folks, how can you help them? In choosing a place to go, avoid the "all-you-can eat" places or agree in advance to order from the menu instead. You can help by eating sensibly yourself. Maybe ask your waitress to skip the bread basket. Maybe decide to share an entrée. Or agree you'll each put half your meal into a take-home box before you begin eating. Split a dessert. Don't urge other folks to have "a little extra." Don't tell them that cheating this one time

won't matter." Friends don't urge each other to overeat, if they want to hold onto them!

Having a diabetic friend to your house to eat? What to do? Diabetics don't need specially prepared meals. Maybe just offer them the chance to serve their own portions. Have plates of various sizes available, since a smaller plate might be more comfortable. It looks full even with portions smaller than what is customary these days. Provide choices of fresh fruits and vegetables. Don't push them to have second helpings. They may not eat all they're served. Don't take it personally. Leave serving platters in the kitchen rather than at the table, where second helpings are so easily added. Offering fresh fruits, cheese or low carb desserts can help, as will water, unsweetened tea, or diet drinks.

I guess we'll never hear the hostess mention the 60 grams carbohydrate limit. On the other hand, neither does she insist on a 3000 calorie minimum per person. And nobody said you have to weigh 285 pounds to be seated. Sometimes it looks that way, though. Go easy out there! Let's help each other when we can.

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