THE ESSENTIAL
- Type 1 diabetes carries a risk of high blood sugar.
- People who suffer from it must watch their diet… including during end-of-year holiday meals.
- However, they can also benefit from these festive menus but with increased monitoring of their blood sugar levels.
Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease favored by a genetic predisposition, is the consequence of a cessation of insulin production by the pancreas. However, it is this hormone that allows the regulation of blood sugar levels. Result, a risk for people who suffer from this type of diabetes (20,000 new cases per year in France) of hyperglycemia which can go as far as coma. This is why its treatment is based on regular insulin injections, adaptation of diet and regular physical activity.
Faced with this picture, how, when you have type 1 diabetes, can you approach the end-of-year holiday season and the possible overeating that traditionally accompanies it?
Increase insulin doses
“In these moments, people with diabetes must tell themselves that they can benefit a little!”assures Dr Patricia Vaduva, university practitioner at Rennes University Hospital. Even if she immediately specifies that this must go hand in hand with a minimum of precautions. Like increasing the insulin doses a little or injecting them, for example, between each dish.
“What is most important is to closely monitor your blood sugar levels which, in these kinds of circumstances, can vary more than usual.”. Even if it is sometimes difficult during prolonged meals or when you are outside, with family, friends or on vacation, “you must never forget your injections,” insists the practitioner.
Seafood and fruity desserts
“Seafood and shellfish are low in calories”confirms the website of the Diabetics Federation, … provided you avoid mayonnaise! So this is a good idea for the starter of a festive meal. More classic to start with, even if these dishes are a little less festive, mesclun salad, spinach salad or red cabbage.
But then? Would the pleasures of Christmas turkey be prohibited for type 1 diabetics? Here again, it is not a question of depriving yourself but of being reasonable. “The turkey, yes, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be with chestnuts and the capon stuffed with foie gras!”specifies the website of the Diabetics Federation in its advice for properly managing festive meals.
Same for dessert. But yes, type 1 diabetics, usually forbidden from overly sweet desserts, can taste the Yule log! Provided that it is “rather in the form of a mousse made from red and exotic fruits”.
Close monitoring of blood sugar
Alix Bornon, type 1 diabetic and pastry chef, confirms: “Yes, it is preferable to favor fruity desserts but you can also indulge in classic cakes… if you don’t forget the small insulin injections between dishes.”
So, so that holiday meals are not synonymous with frustration or health problems for type 1 diabetics, two rules are ultimately quite simple to follow: treat yourself… but monitor your blood sugar levels very closely. “In the euphoria of the moment, we must not forget to control ourselves”, insists Alix Bornon.
