1. < Diabetes & Endocrine System

Fighting Holiday Blues Food Problems

Posted by Retired Teacher @retiredteacher, Dec 20, 2017

I have tried and basically succeeded in avoiding desserts of all kinds in the 20 months I have had diabetes. I still am not right with morning blood---too high, but it goes down during the day and my A1c is 6.0 and no other problems and no medicine needed. So I know I am lucky. My main problem which is so minor that I shouldn't even mention it, but it is making things difficult. The trouble lies in having sweets. I have avoided cookies, cakes, pies, candy, and everything I love for all these months. I am not a cook, but I liked being in the kitchen fixing slice and bake cookies and having Christmas candy and snacks around. I didn't cave for Halloween or Thanksgiving, but I am just craving some of the No-No's. My husband loves cookies, but if I bake them, I know it will make me want several. If I eat anything sweet, I am afraid of what will happen to my blood count.
Is anyone else really missing all the Christmas goodies?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

retiredteacher

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vanin11 | @vanin11 | Dec 20, 2017

Hi, you are no where near alone, I would think the majority of people who like food and sweets/ goodies have a real issue with avoidance.Its hard.Myself included, so don't feel bad.
BTW, I have the same high numbers in the morning, and am now on meds for it.

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Dec 22, 2017

Hi, @retiredteacher -- that sounds hard at Christmastime, and I'm betting you are not alone, just as @vanin11 said. I am thinking that other members who've talked about diabetes may have some thoughts about craving sweets at holidays, like @motiger, @vdouglas, @jchp, @sciondiva, @donnasues, @oldkarl and @dougmann.

Have you ended up baking for your husband, or how have you decided to negotiate making and having sweets around and your diabetes?

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6 replies
Parus | @parus | Dec 22, 2017

I am not diabetic but do know many who are and everyone of them struggle with craving sweets. I do not miss sweets (sugar) at all and sugar tastes bitter to me. I guess my Christmas wish for all diabetics is to have taste buds that do not like sugar. I read how hard all of you struggle and find I feel a tad guilty as I do not like sugar and can have thus. Reading your comments helps me better understand the struggles of those I know.

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Retired Teacher | @retiredteacher | Dec 22, 2017
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @retiredteacher -- that sounds hard at Christmastime, and I'm betting you are not alone, just..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @retiredteacher -- that sounds hard at Christmastime, and I'm betting you are not alone, just as @vanin11 said. I am thinking that other members who've talked about diabetes may have some thoughts about craving sweets at holidays, like @motiger, @vdouglas, @jchp, @sciondiva, @donnasues, @oldkarl and @dougmann.

Have you ended up baking for your husband, or how have you decided to negotiate making and having sweets around and your diabetes?

Jump to this post

I am using slice and bake to have some cookies for my husband. I am not going to make a large quantity because he doesn't need to stuff himself on cookies either; he is a certified cookie monster. I will do two kinds and that's it. I will probably eat one or two because I think I have to stop obsessing over my sweet tooth. It's like any diet; if a person deprives himself/herself, he/she often eats too much of the other bad foods to try to compensate and then in the end eats the sweets anyway. I did Weight Watchers a long time ago, and the leader always said that. If you crave, eat a small portion and get over it. If you don't, deprivation sets in and makes it worse.

retiredteacher

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 22, 2017
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @retiredteacher -- that sounds hard at Christmastime, and I'm betting you are not alone, just..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @retiredteacher -- that sounds hard at Christmastime, and I'm betting you are not alone, just as @vanin11 said. I am thinking that other members who've talked about diabetes may have some thoughts about craving sweets at holidays, like @motiger, @vdouglas, @jchp, @sciondiva, @donnasues, @oldkarl and @dougmann.

Have you ended up baking for your husband, or how have you decided to negotiate making and having sweets around and your diabetes?

Jump to this post

Very true, @retiredteacher

Weight Watchers has some helpful thoughts - everything in moderation is a good rule of thumb. Enjoy your cookies~and have a lovely holiday!

Teresa

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Dec 22, 2017
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @retiredteacher -- that sounds hard at Christmastime, and I'm betting you are not alone, just..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @retiredteacher -- that sounds hard at Christmastime, and I'm betting you are not alone, just as @vanin11 said. I am thinking that other members who've talked about diabetes may have some thoughts about craving sweets at holidays, like @motiger, @vdouglas, @jchp, @sciondiva, @donnasues, @oldkarl and @dougmann.

Have you ended up baking for your husband, or how have you decided to negotiate making and having sweets around and your diabetes?

Jump to this post

Sounds very reasonable, @retiredteacher. Thanks for the perspective on this.

I love the "certified cookie monster" comment, by the way!

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coloradogirl | @coloradogirl | Dec 22, 2017
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @retiredteacher -- that sounds hard at Christmastime, and I'm betting you are not alone, just..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @retiredteacher -- that sounds hard at Christmastime, and I'm betting you are not alone, just as @vanin11 said. I am thinking that other members who've talked about diabetes may have some thoughts about craving sweets at holidays, like @motiger, @vdouglas, @jchp, @sciondiva, @donnasues, @oldkarl and @dougmann.

Have you ended up baking for your husband, or how have you decided to negotiate making and having sweets around and your diabetes?

Jump to this post

This is a great plan, @retiredteacher. Moderation is the key in most things, diabetes included!

REPLY
success101 | @success101 | Dec 23, 2017
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @retiredteacher -- that sounds hard at Christmastime, and I'm betting you are not alone, just..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @retiredteacher -- that sounds hard at Christmastime, and I'm betting you are not alone, just as @vanin11 said. I am thinking that other members who've talked about diabetes may have some thoughts about craving sweets at holidays, like @motiger, @vdouglas, @jchp, @sciondiva, @donnasues, @oldkarl and @dougmann.

Have you ended up baking for your husband, or how have you decided to negotiate making and having sweets around and your diabetes?

Jump to this post

Very. good,advice. I too am addicted
to homade cookies. I want to
to get off the craving. I do all the
shopping and cooking, and, find myself
taste testing.
I know Weight Watchers is good,but,
Driving at night to meetings is not
easy.

Everyday,I say this is it.
The best thing for me is to be
accountable to another person.
Is it possible that I could weigh in
at myClinic.
I'm 22 miles from a fittness center.

Any advice
Thanks success101

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Dec 23, 2017
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @retiredteacher -- that sounds hard at Christmastime, and I'm betting you are not alone, just..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @retiredteacher -- that sounds hard at Christmastime, and I'm betting you are not alone, just as @vanin11 said. I am thinking that other members who've talked about diabetes may have some thoughts about craving sweets at holidays, like @motiger, @vdouglas, @jchp, @sciondiva, @donnasues, @oldkarl and @dougmann.

Have you ended up baking for your husband, or how have you decided to negotiate making and having sweets around and your diabetes?

Jump to this post

@success101 Good morning! I have just taken a container of homemade cookies and fudge out of the freezer. I chose to put only a small amount out, because I know that my first taste will not be my last!

I want to give you a link to a discussion in Healthy Living Group. It is titled: Staying Motivated for the Long Haul.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/staying-motivated-for-the-long-haul/?pg=1
I think that by reading thru it, you will find some good ideas as well as some resources you might find helpful. I suspect that after the holidays, that activity might pick up!
I hope to see you there in 2018!
Rosemary

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