diabetic police

October 13, 2011

Meagan Esler

Oct 4, 2011

When I eat a pastry, the

Sometimes I don't feel like explaining myself. Sometimes I just want to eat

a pastry in public in peace, without the " diabetes

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/> police " showing up and giving me their two

cents. When that happens, I can usually handle it without my blood pressure

rising. I politely explain to these well-meaning people that I'm perfectly

in control of my diabetes and that as long as I count the carbohydrates

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/food/low-carb/> and take my shot, I

can eat anything I please. Occasionally though, I find myself getting

irritated and angry. I get tired of defending myself all the time.

For the most part, I eat pretty healthily. I limit fat, calories,

carbohydrates, and overly processed items, and I eat high fiber foods and a

rainbow of veggies, fruits, and protein. But I enjoy treating myself after

my hard work on the treadmill and the weight-training machine. It helps me

when I work out to know that somewhere in my future, a gloriously decorated

confection awaits. I don't feel that I should have to eat it in private. I

shouldn't feel guilty about eating what I want as long as I'm careful about

my blood <http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/monitoring/blood-sugar/>

sugars.

Last year during the holidays, I was actually slapped on the hand for eating

a candy cane by a woman volunteering at my work. I was munching away in

cheerful holiday peppermint bliss and answering a work-related question when

she literally slapped my hand and said " Shame on you! You're a diabetic

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/> . " My cheeks burned as I told her that I

was allowed to eat what I wished as long as I counted the carbohydrates and

took my insulin <http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/medications/insulin/>

injection. I also informed her that if my blood sugar went low, she would

see me downing sugar to correct it so that I didn't end up unconscious and

hospitalized. I know she didn't understand, but it isn't right to assume,

and it is certainly not okay to slap a person with diabetes.

During another incident at work, I was discouraged from attending our ice

cream social because the coworker coordinating it saw a magazine article I

wrote about taking control of my diabetes. While discussing the decorations,

she declared " I'm sure I won't see you there because I know all about your

diabetes and the fact that you shouldn't eat ice cream. " Even after I

explained, she went on to say that her father had been " the same type of

diabetic, " and she knew it wasn't " good " for me. The joy of the ice cream

social was gone for me. I helped with the decorations and stayed away from

the event, too emotionally deflated to explain to the diabetes patrol on

staff that yes, I can eat that.

I literally started wondering if I was correct in thinking that I was

allowed to eat the occasional sugary treat. After all, so many people were

badgering me about my dietary choices. Had I become too easygoing about my

beloved dessert <http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/food/desserts/>

allowances? I believe that if you are unhappy with your diet plan, it's

important to talk to your doctor. So I talked to my diabetes educator, and

she put my mind at ease. She told me I could eat a candy bar every day if I

chose, as long as we planned for it. Though I didn't plan on eating candy

every day, I felt better and more justified than ever about not letting

others exclude me from anything because of my diabetes.

I try not to overreact when well-meaning individuals give their opinions of

my food choices because each person I educate means one less member of the

diabetes police force and a happier, guilt-free life for all of us.

_____

Categories: Candy, Carbohydrates

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/food/carbohydrates/> , Diabetes

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/community/diabetes-police/> Police,

dietary <http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/food/dietary-choices/>

choices, Healthy

<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/community/healthy-eating/> Eating,

Pastry <http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/food/pastry/>

_____

October 14, 2011

The main diabetic cop I have to deal with is my mother. I've had diabetes since

I was 2 and I'm now 38. She's always telling me " you shouldn't eat that " and

" You shouldn't drink alcohol. I point out she's got a heart condition that

could kill her, that has killed her father and her brother, and she still eats

and drinks like crap. I just tell people you only live once, and I'm not a

monk, so leave me alone. I'm not going to deny myself of something to live 3

minutes longer at the end.