If you have type 2 diabetes, telling people about your condition can help you stick to your diet and medication plan. It could even save your life.
You might choose to keep the news of your type 2 diabetes to yourself and immediate family. But what if you're suffering from low blood sugar at a social gathering and a friend notices your distress? How should you inform someone about your type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 Diabetes: The Rule of Thumb
John Buse, MD, PhD, director of the Diabetes Care Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, sees a couple of viable approaches to social situations. “You can be honest and just say, ‘I have diabetes and I don’t want to eat that,’” Buse says.
“But another view is that you can eat anything you want when you have diabetes. It’s more important to have portion control and meal plans” than to worry about every food item. “Just say what you feel: People are a lot more health-conscious these days, and I doubt anyone would call you rude if you didn’t want to eat a huge piece of cake.” Don't feel like you need to over-explain, says R. Paul Robertson, MD, president, Medicine and Science, the American Diabetes Association, and professor of medicine and pharmacology at the University of Washington in Seattle.
"It's healthy for people to let their friends and family know that they have diabetes and have specific dietary conditions," Dr. Robertson says. "I don't think you have to say any more."
Type 2 Diabetes: When To Tell Others
Here are some situations in which telling friends or family is a good idea:
You've been invited to dinner at someone's house. You might want to make sure they know of your dietary restrictions in advance, so they won't think that you hate their cooking when you skip over certain dishes.
You are dating someone regularly. Being honest about your diabetes can foster intimacy between you and your partner. He or she will be better able to understand the day-to-day tasks you must perform to forestall low blood sugar.
You're leaving home for college. You will want to tell your resident adviser, roommate, and friends about your diabetes. If you came down with a critical case of low blood sugar, you would want them to know what to do.
You're going out to eat. Since it’s important to eat at the same times each day, you might want to say something when making dinner plans so the meal can be coordinated with your schedule.
Type 2 Diabetes: When to Keep Mum
Don't feel like you have to explain your diabetes in every situation. For example, if you are at a party and want to limit your drinking to avoid low blood sugar, you don't owe anyone an explanation.
In other situations, revealing your type 2 diabetes will be a tough call. For example, you're at an office party and your colleagues are passing around homemade, sugar-laden treats. Do you risk hurting their feelings by turning down their cakes or fudge? Or do you risk your health by eating things that will throw your blood sugar out of whack? You can politely take one and say you’re saving it for later if you’re caught between those two difficult choices...
This article was first published in Everyday Health
You might choose to keep the news of your type 2 diabetes to yourself and immediate family. But what if you're suffering from low blood sugar at a social gathering and a friend notices your distress? How should you inform someone about your type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 Diabetes: The Rule of Thumb
John Buse, MD, PhD, director of the Diabetes Care Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, sees a couple of viable approaches to social situations. “You can be honest and just say, ‘I have diabetes and I don’t want to eat that,’” Buse says.
“But another view is that you can eat anything you want when you have diabetes. It’s more important to have portion control and meal plans” than to worry about every food item. “Just say what you feel: People are a lot more health-conscious these days, and I doubt anyone would call you rude if you didn’t want to eat a huge piece of cake.” Don't feel like you need to over-explain, says R. Paul Robertson, MD, president, Medicine and Science, the American Diabetes Association, and professor of medicine and pharmacology at the University of Washington in Seattle.
"It's healthy for people to let their friends and family know that they have diabetes and have specific dietary conditions," Dr. Robertson says. "I don't think you have to say any more."
Type 2 Diabetes: When To Tell Others
Here are some situations in which telling friends or family is a good idea:
You've been invited to dinner at someone's house. You might want to make sure they know of your dietary restrictions in advance, so they won't think that you hate their cooking when you skip over certain dishes.
You are dating someone regularly. Being honest about your diabetes can foster intimacy between you and your partner. He or she will be better able to understand the day-to-day tasks you must perform to forestall low blood sugar.
You're leaving home for college. You will want to tell your resident adviser, roommate, and friends about your diabetes. If you came down with a critical case of low blood sugar, you would want them to know what to do.
You're going out to eat. Since it’s important to eat at the same times each day, you might want to say something when making dinner plans so the meal can be coordinated with your schedule.
Type 2 Diabetes: When to Keep Mum
Don't feel like you have to explain your diabetes in every situation. For example, if you are at a party and want to limit your drinking to avoid low blood sugar, you don't owe anyone an explanation.
In other situations, revealing your type 2 diabetes will be a tough call. For example, you're at an office party and your colleagues are passing around homemade, sugar-laden treats. Do you risk hurting their feelings by turning down their cakes or fudge? Or do you risk your health by eating things that will throw your blood sugar out of whack? You can politely take one and say you’re saving it for later if you’re caught between those two difficult choices...
This article was first published in Everyday Health
