CHRISTMAS IS ALL about faith, food, fun and frolic.
Everywhere you go people tend to be in a sharing mood, with food and drinks of all kinds presented and expected to be consumed.
For those on special diets, or living with chronic non-communicable diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure, this time of the year is extremely challenging. That’s because they are torn between sticking to a necessary regimen that often consists of bland foods and low-sugar beverages, while all around them there are delectable, sweet-smelling dishes on offer.
Few are able to totally resist the temptation –
hence this week’s question: “How is the best way
to encourage your partner, who has diabetes
and high blood pressure, to eat healthily
for Christmas?”
If the lukewarm response to our question is any gauge of people’s feelings on this matter, it would explain why so many diabetics and hypertensives poorly manage their conditions during this period.
Response to this question was the worst we ever had. We only received seven responses – three on Facebook and four phone calls. We got no emails
or texts, and three of the four calls were basically
one line comments.
The clear message we got from this exercise was that though diabetes and hypertension are major health challenges in Barbados that affect the quality of life of thousands of people, few of them allow it to get in the way of celebrating Christmas.
We get the impression that many diabetics and hypertensives make a conscious decision to delve into the seasonal treats and to enjoy themselves over the Christmas holidays, and then deal with any consequences in January when they’ll make a resolution to stick to their diet.
The one caller who was most expansive on the
topic confirmed that this was her policy for the last nine years after she was diagnosed as being a
Type 2 diabetic.
She said: “I eat a piece of everything – ham, pudding, sweet bread, dark cake, macaroni pie, punch-a-cream . . . Christmas ain’t Christmas without eating those things. . . . The trick is not to eat lot of anything but get a little piece of everything. . . . Next month then you would ease off those sweet things.”
We asked family physician Dr Adrian Lorde if this was what he saw in his practice, and what recommendations he would make to those living with these debilitating illnesses. He said: “Families need to be more supportive of relatives who are diabetic or have high blood pressure at this time. You don’t give them chocolates as gifts, for instance.
“You have to ensure too that people on medication continue to take it, and you must get them to recognise that medication and alcohol don’t mix – so resist
that temptation.”
Lorde’s general words of advice on eating healthily at Christmas were: “Let us reduce our total calorie intake this Christmas. Cut back on the amount of rice and potatoes, cut out the macaroni pie, do not add salt to your food, and use little sugar or sweetened foods.
“Vegetables are a must. Fill your plate with them, this leaves less space for the high calorie foods. Do not go back for seconds.
“Drink more water; this quenches your thirst and limits the quantity of alcohol you might be tempted to take. Remember alcohol is high in calories too. Sorrel and mauby drinks are also sweet and high calorie, so diabetics beware. Diet drinks are available and safe.”
The following are edited versions of responses:
• “I have Type-2 diabetes and I control it with moderation. My tests run around 4.9. I eat what I want when I want, but I eat it in moderation. One small plate full is more than enough and the occasional – and I mean occasional – piece of dessert.
“Your body will tell you when and what to eat, if you listen to it. Too many people think that they have to stop eating to control this disease; you don’t, just be careful of what and how much.”
• “If you want your partner who has diabetes and high blood pressure to eat healthily for Christmas, then you should be prepared to do the same.”
• “Tell him that if he wants to continue having sex that he needs to control his eating.”
• “You could say, ‘honey, if you make it through the holidays alive, can we start trying to eat better and healthier? I’ll do it with you’. Try that [but remember] you can always encourage but you can’t make them. People should be more responsible about their own health and well-being.”
FOR?NEXT WEEK, please share your views on the following: Christmas is the time for sharing and giving, but what would you do if you found out your partner had purchased a gift this year for someone whom you always suspected they were attracted to? Tell us what you think by calling or texting 262-5986 or emailing sankaprice@nationnews.com (SP)