Q. Sometimes, when I order a sugar-free
beverage at a restaurant, the waiter brings me a normal, sugared drink. Some
diet drinks taste a lot like their regular, non-diet version. How
can I tell? What would Harry Potter do?
A. Does Harry Potter
become a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) in the final book? Until he does,
here are a few “muggle” (non-magic) suggestions that may help:
- Ask
for a twist of lemon or lime in your drink. That will make your order unique and
will force the waiter to pay a bit more attention to your beverage when he
or she prepares it.
- Bring
along visual urine glucose testing strips.
These are the ones that change colors if sugar is present in
urine. Place a few droplets onto
the strip and watch for any change.
If the strip remains negative when compared to the chart on the
bottle, your beverage is sugar-free.
- When
you place your order, ask for the can or bottle. This is also a great trick to use on an
airplane.
Q. Can birth control pills affect my blood sugar level?
A. There are several different types of birth control pills. Some vary the amounts of hormones that they release in the body and cause more of a roller coaster ride. Others contain the same amount of estrogen and progesterone every day of the month, which will help keep blood sugar swings to a minimum. Speak with your doctor to see which choice is best for you.
Q. I’m tired of
having everyone think of me as a “diabetic.”
I do lots of different things and have lots of hobbies, but no one cares
about that. As soon as the word
“diabetic” enters the conversation, everyone immediately focuses on that part
of my life. I hate it. What can I do?
A. You have some
control over the information that people have about you. Try the following:
- Don’t
tell everyone that you have diabetes.
Only share it with those who you feel really need to know.
- If you
are positive and relaxed about your diabetes, others will be too. Your personal attitude sets the tone.
- You
are a person with diabetes, not a "diabetic." I never use the
term. People with cancer aren’t “cancerics.” Folks with Crohn’s disease are not “Crohnics.”
You are not a disease – you are an interesting person who happens to have
diabetes. Don’t let it be your
entire identity.
- For more great articles by Janis Roszler, visit the e-version of our magazine at walgreensdiabetes.com
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