Mid-Somerset
Voluntary Group
Mid-Somerset Diabetes
Information
Some Christmas Tips
If you have diabetes, don’t panic! The traditional Christmas foods such as mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas cake can still be enjoyed, but just don't eat too many or too much in one go. Spread them out over the Christmas period.
Don't be tempted to buy 'diabetic' foods - they offer no special benefit to people with diabetes. They are just as high in calories and fat and still affect blood glucose levels. Have small amounts of ordinary festive foods instead! Make sure friends and relatives know not to buy these foods too. A non-food gift or small amount. Everyone eats too much at Christmas, so don't feel bad about it, and although no one expects to lose weight at Christmas, try not to gain any!
Keep healthy snacks around the house so if you are tempted to snack you will have something else to snack on instead of chocolates and mince pies.
Try to eat fairly healthily on the days between Boxing Day and New Year to help prevent the pounds piling on too much.
You may have higher blood glucose levels at some point over the Christmas period – due to a little over indulgence, being a little less active, and the change in routine. The odd one or two high glucose readings over Christmas should not affect your long-term diabetes control or health.
Some form of activity after a large meal, such as a gentle stroll will make all the difference. It will help use up the extra energy you have eaten and control your blood glucose levels, and help to get rid of that sluggish feeling after a heavy meal.
Most important – ENJOY YOUR CHRISTMAS!
Watch Out For Hypoglycaemia Symptoms:
Hunger, Trembling, Sweating, Anxiety, Fast Pulse, Irritability, Palpitations, Tingling Lips, Paleness, Blurred Vision, Mood Changes, Vagueness.
Check now (before these symptoms happen to you) with your Doctor or Diabetres Nurse for suggestions what to do.
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WHAT IS A PORTION OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES?
Apples fresh – 1
medium Pureed – 2 tablespoons Apricots fresh or dried – 3 whole Artichokes 2 globe hearts Asparagus fresh – 5 spears Aubergines one third Avocados half Bananas fresh – 1 medium Beans, butter 3 tablespoons Beans, kidney 3 tablespoons Beans, runner 4 tablespoons Beansprouts fresh – 2 handfuls Beetroot bottled – 3 ‘baby’ whole or 7 slices Blackberries 1 handful (9-10) Blueberries 4 tablespoons Broccoli 2 florets Brussel sprouts 8 whole Cabbages 2 handfuls, sliced Carrots fresh slices or canned – 3 tablespoons Cauliflowers 8 florets Celery 3 sticks Cherries fresh – 14 whole Clementines 2 whole Courgettes half a large courgette Cucumbers 2 inch piece Dates 3 whole Figs fresh or dried – 2 whole Fruit salad fresh or canned – 3 tablespoons Grapefruits fresh – half a grapefruit Grapes 1 handful Kiwi fruit 2 whole Leeks 1 (white portion only) Lentils 3 tablespoons Lettuce (Mixed leaves) 1 cereal bowl |
Mange
tout 1
handful Mangoes 2 slices (2 inch slice) Melon 1 slice (2 inch slice) Mushrooms 14 button or 3 handfuls sliced Nectarines 1 whole Okra 16 medium Onions fresh – 1 medium Oranges 1 whole Parsnips 1 large Peaches fresh, canned or dried – 1 medium or 2 halves Peas fresh, frozen or canned – 3 tablespoons Peppers half a pepper Pineapples fresh or canned – 2 rings or 12 chunks Plums 2 medium Prunes ready to eat or dried – 3 whole Radishes 10 whole Raisins 1 tablespoon Raspberries fresh – 2 handfuls Rhubarb cooked – 2 tablespoons Satsumas 2 small Spinach fresh – 1 cereal bowl or cooked – 2 tablespoons Spring greens cooked - 4 tablespoons Strawberries fresh – 7 Sugarsnap peas 1 handful Swede diced and cooked – 3 tablespoons Sweetcorn fresh 1 cob or 6 baby corn canned – 3 tablespoons Tangerines 2 small Tomato puree 1 tablespoon Tomatoes canned plum – 2 or whole fresh – 1 medium or 7 cherry Fruit juice One glass (150ml.) of 100% juice |
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only once in a day regardless of the types drunk or how much extra you drink.
-o-o-o- Insurance
Insurance is an issue all people with diabetes need to look in to as soon as you are diagnosed. For example, it immediately impacts on Automobile Insurance and you must tell DVLA of your condition. Diabetes UK has a number of different pags on their web site concerning insurance. For general advice, Diabetes UK offers specific advice about different kinds of Insurance you might need at:
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/services/index.html
There is good download "Insurance and Diabetes" at the bottom of page
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/infocentre/i.htm There are a number of different sections that speak specifically to driving and diabetes. go to: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/home.htm Hit the <Search> button in the left-hand column, and type <Driving and Diabetes>
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“The information presented on this site is for general use only and is not intended to provide personal medical advice or substitute for the advice of your physician. If you have questions or concerns about individual health matters or the management of your diabetes, please consult your diabetes care team. Products highlighted on this website are not necessarily endorsed by Diabetes UK.”