Type 2 Diabetes Management Tips for Halloween
Posted on October 20, 2011 by Lu Young RN
When we think of Halloween it seems like all we focus on is candy, candy, candy, and more candy. Sure, that is the main focus. It can be a disaster for diabetic children. Try these type 2 diabetes management tips for Halloween and keep healthy.
Inez Lane remembers her daughter Jordan’s Halloween just weeks after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. At the time, Jordan was in the third grade. “We were very careful the first Halloween. We paid her 25 cents for each piece of candy,” says Lane. They allowed her to have just a few pieces that year.
“Now we are more comfortable with the situation. We still pay her but let her keep a small bagful. She’s allowed one piece a day or every other day.”
The sugary frenzy that accompanies the entire Halloween season is enough to cause any parent to sigh. But for parents with a diabetic child, Halloween can be worrisome. Treats abound the entire month of October, culminating in the big day of trick-or-treating.
Yet diabetes experts generally agree that children can enjoy some of their loot as long as they balance it with the proper dose of insulin. “As long as it is worked into a meal plan and covered by the child’s insulin, sugar is allowed,” explains Lela Iliopoulos, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator.
She says this is where carbohydrate counting skills are used. “After eating treats, you can check blood glucose levels and make any insulin adjustments, if needed.”
Click here to view the original source of this type 2 diabetes management post
Here are some excellent type 2 diabetes management tips for Halloween.
Work the candy into your child’s regular meal plan. Like giving them just one piece a day or every other day or so. Store the candy with chocolate in it in the refrigerator so it keeps better.
Set some rules. One good one is no eating candy before you get home.
Keep some of the candy set back to treat low blood glucose.
Share the candy with others. Spread the treats around a bit.
With these type 2 diabetes management tips for Halloween both you and your child can survive this holiday without too many glucose spikes.
