In my previous post I tried to categorize the behaviour of non-diabetics towards diabetics. The level of awareness of most non-diabetics regarding a diabetic diet is limited to avoidance of sweet stuff. Non-diabetics (and even quite a few diabetics) are not aware of the concept of glycemic index to know that foods that are not generally considered sweet can also raise blood sugar levels beyond acceptable levels. There are quite a number of such food items - e.g. Bhelpuri, poha (rice flakes, can be had raw or prepared in various ways), white bread, fruit juices (even without added sugar), tomato ketchup etc.
When a diabetic, aware of the glycemic index of the food being passed around, declines to have a food item with a high glycemic index the others are surprised and wonder what the issue is when it is not sweet at all. What can the diabetic do? This is no time for explaining glycemic index. Smile apologetically and stay away or join the gang? .Such situations can be handled by controlling the quantity consumed. That way the glycemic load stays low. A complete rejection stands out and invites attention and comments. Having a small quantity allows you to go be with the gang and yet keep your sugar level under fair control.
Another mistake that many make is to decide on the level of sugar in an item merely by its taste. The actual sugar content can be high but the sweet taste offset by some other ingredient misleading one to conclude that the quantity of sugar is low and therefore more of it can be had. It is not always possible to get to know what has been added and roughly how much. Therefore here again controlling the quantity is the only way to avoid raising sugar levels.
But if you do happen to consume a substantial amount compensate by having less or none of something else and stick to you medication and exercise.
When a diabetic, aware of the glycemic index of the food being passed around, declines to have a food item with a high glycemic index the others are surprised and wonder what the issue is when it is not sweet at all. What can the diabetic do? This is no time for explaining glycemic index. Smile apologetically and stay away or join the gang? .Such situations can be handled by controlling the quantity consumed. That way the glycemic load stays low. A complete rejection stands out and invites attention and comments. Having a small quantity allows you to go be with the gang and yet keep your sugar level under fair control.
Another mistake that many make is to decide on the level of sugar in an item merely by its taste. The actual sugar content can be high but the sweet taste offset by some other ingredient misleading one to conclude that the quantity of sugar is low and therefore more of it can be had. It is not always possible to get to know what has been added and roughly how much. Therefore here again controlling the quantity is the only way to avoid raising sugar levels.
But if you do happen to consume a substantial amount compensate by having less or none of something else and stick to you medication and exercise.
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