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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

I just found this link titled: How to Eat Healthy During the Holidays. I want to share it with all of you.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/champions/newsfeed-detail/?link_id=12063
I think these are great ideas to use all year! What do you think?
Rosemary

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@rosemarya

I just found this link titled: How to Eat Healthy During the Holidays. I want to share it with all of you.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/champions/newsfeed-detail/?link_id=12063
I think these are great ideas to use all year! What do you think?
Rosemary

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Yes, I try to do that. Its the
Tempt when my family is around. Or else often,
It is idle time too.
But, at least these suggestions are in the back of my mind.

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@rosemarya

I just found this link titled: How to Eat Healthy During the Holidays. I want to share it with all of you.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/champions/newsfeed-detail/?link_id=12063
I think these are great ideas to use all year! What do you think?
Rosemary

Jump to this post

@rosemarya
Thanks for that great article, Rosemary,

I really like the emphasis on enjoying your favorites in moderation and also "planning ahead" before you go to a holiday celebration.

Teresa

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Hi, @retiredteacher -- hoping the new year finds you well. Wanted to check back with you and see how things went over the holidays with all the sweets available and trying to control your levels?

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@lisalucier

Hi, @retiredteacher -- hoping the new year finds you well. Wanted to check back with you and see how things went over the holidays with all the sweets available and trying to control your levels?

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I had no problems except envy for those who could have a luscious dessert after their meals with coffee. I ate one bite of chocolate and that's all---no cookies, no cake, no pie, not even sweet potato soufflé. So, it was a matter of making up my mind. I ate mostly green vegetables and some turkey. In place of rolls, I did eat a small portion of dressing. My numbers varied little from the usual, so I am proud of myself. I made it through Halloween candy, Thanksgiving, and Christmas without allowing myself to stray. It was hard, and the temptation was great, but the consequences of throwing caution to the wind would have been foolish. It did not justify ignoring what works for me.

I have my next endocrinologist appointment in six weeks. I guess the A1c will tell the story. In April it will be two years since I was diagnosed. Considering that I have had to be my own dr. with my research and this and other forums, I think I have done well. I continue to have higher numbers in the morning, but they are normal after lunch. It's a matter of control and self-discipline to make wrong choices or stay on the right path. I choose right.

I enjoyed the holidays and hope you did too.

retiredteacher

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@retiredteacher What a great report! Good for you.

Teresa

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@lisalucier

Hi, @retiredteacher -- hoping the new year finds you well. Wanted to check back with you and see how things went over the holidays with all the sweets available and trying to control your levels?

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@retiredteacher, You deserve to be proud of yourself. As I used to tell my students, "Give yourself a pat on the back". You may be a retired teacher, but you are still inspiring and teaching us!
Rosemary

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@lisalucier

Hi, @retiredteacher -- hoping the new year finds you well. Wanted to check back with you and see how things went over the holidays with all the sweets available and trying to control your levels?

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I am indeed a retired teacher. I taught forty-two years and expected to die teaching. I taught Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition, Advanced English Language and Composition, and composition for freshmen in college. Teaching was my life, and when I had to retire, a part of me died. I mourn every day that I am no longer in the classroom. It's all I ever did; it was my career and my hobby. I was fortunate to teach in an exclusive private school, so there were no discipline problems. Learning was the emphasis in every area.

Thanks for your kind words.

retiredteacher

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@lisalucier

Hi, @retiredteacher -- hoping the new year finds you well. Wanted to check back with you and see how things went over the holidays with all the sweets available and trying to control your levels?

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@retiredteacher, We need more teachers like you! We need more schools like the one you describe.

I taught for the first 8 years after college in private elementary schools, in fact, my first teaching job was the elementary school that I attended, with my 1st grade teacher now the principal. I got married, moved, had children and stayed at home when they were younger. When I decided to return to classroom, I had unfortunately failed to update my certification. But I did get an amazing job working with grades 1-4 students who were developmentally delayed and some with learning disabilities. I went to school evenings to be recertified. Then I was sent to middle school. It was hard, but one of the most rewarding experiences to see some of the kids develop self confidence. I needed to take an early retirement due to advancing liver disease.

Rosemary

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@lisalucier

Hi, @retiredteacher -- hoping the new year finds you well. Wanted to check back with you and see how things went over the holidays with all the sweets available and trying to control your levels?

Jump to this post

Bless you for teaching younger students. I could not work with that age. But, it's a good thing we are all different and prefer different challenges. It's similar to our diabetes; no two of us have the same problems; we just all are grouped under the diabetes' umbrella. My retirement wasn't early, though I had taught forty-two years. My retirement came as a result of kidney surgery. My plan was not God's plan. I walked out of the classroom in the fall of 2013. Saddest day of my life.

retiredteacher

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