WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR

 New Year Resolutions for people with Diabetes

The New Year is a time to make promises to take care of yourself so that you have a better tomorrow.  This year set goals to enhance your diabetes management and overall health. Your goals should be precise, not vague, assessable, measurable, true-to-life and should not take an indefinite time to achieve. 

• Visit your diabetologist, podiatrist and dietitian regularly.

• Follow your schedule for checking blood glucose levels.

• Follow exact instructions for every diabetes medication you take.

• Be aware of your A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol levels and keep them under control.

• Be active.

• Follow a well-balanced meal plan that is low in fat, concentrated sugars, and refined carbohydrates such as white bread and white rice and salt. Including  high fibre foods, such as oats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables will not only help reduce cholesterol, but also stabilize blood sugar level. Include proteins such as lean meats, seafood, low-fat dairy and plenty of water to your diet and stay away from alcohol.
  
  
  
• Don’t smoke.

• Monitor your blood pressure, blood cholesterol and kidney function regularly.

• Get your eyes and feet examined routinely. 

• If you have symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained weight loss, excessive thirst, urination or hunger, anxiety, blurred vision, frequent infections or have wounds that are slow to heal, go to your doctor immediately.

• Be familiar with the warning signs of high or low blood sugar and be prepared to counter it.

• Keep yourself up-to-date about advancements in the treatment of diabetes. For example, research has shown that getting 7 to 8 hours sleep every night can reduce the risk of diabetes, and that a person who smokes more than 20 cigarettes per day increases their risk of diabetes by almost half. Medications are always being reviewed. 

• Know your target glucose levels and monitor blood glucose regularly every day even if you have no symptoms.

• Take all your medications regularly.In addition to insulin or oral medications, a diabetic person may need other medicines, such as those necessary to control or regulate cholesterol or blood pressure. 

• Examine your feet for cuts and sores.

• Brush and floss your teeth.

• Control your weight and diabetes symptoms with exercise. There is a direct correlation between obesity, insulin levels, and diabetes… as well as many other diseases. So stay active, exercise and maintain a normal body weight.

Although diabetes is a life- long disease, following your New Year resolutions will helpreduce the risk of complications and make you feel good all through the year.
 

GUINNESS WORLD RECORD™ for largest diabetic foot screening programme on the occasion of World Diabetes Day

The Times of India, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF) and the Diabetic Foot Society of India (DFSI) organized the world’s largest ‘Diabetic Foot Screening Programme’ all over India on 14, Novemberon the occasion of World Diabetes Day with screenings taking place across 27 locations in rural, urban  and remote  areas at the same time. It was a proud moment for the country as a total of 1676 people with diabetes were screened for foot care on one single day, which broke the existing GUINNESS WORLD RECORD of 561 screenings in 11 locations by Kaiser Permanente, San Diego, USA in March 17, 2011.MVH led with 171 screenings.

Fortuna Burke (right), adjudicator of the Guinness World records, presents the certificate to Melvin d’Souza (2nd from left) MD, Novo Nordisk.  Also seen are Dr.A.K.Das (left) , ex-president of DFSI, Dr.SanjeevKelkar (centre), President of DFSI, Dr.VijayViswanathan (3rd from right), Head & Chief Diabetologist, M.V.Hospital for Diabetes, Royapuram and Tamil film actor Mr.Basky (extreme right).

Diabetes is not a barrier:

The following are two instances of people with diabetes who have not allowed it to come in the way of their goals.

• Mr. N. Gajendran, B.Sc (Chem) (1962), AMIET, MICHE(USA) 1971, ISO 9000 Lead Auditor 1995, M.A Public Admin. 1985, MBA HRM 2013, has diabetes but he has managed both diabetes as well as varied activities all through his life. Apart from the many degrees, he also has certificates from the National Productivity Council in Supervision , and in Computer programming. He has participated in many activities such as Supervisory development and ISO 9000 training and attended many seminars, poster and essay competitions, MVH debate competition and has contributed articles to magazines. 

Mr.Gajendran with Dr. Vijay Viswanathan.

• Mr.Subramaniam  is 75 years old and has had diabetes for the past 30 years . Despite his condition he is active and represented Tamil Nadu in the 34th National Masters Athletic Championship 2013 held in Bangalore and won third place in Long jump, 2nd place in High jump and 2nd place in Triple jump events. 

Dr. Vijay with Mr. K. Subramanian

Autonomic Neuropathy

Devi.J&U.Rohini(Dietitians)
Diet Department

The kidneys remove unwanted salts, waste products, and other chemicals from the plasma along with the water in which they are dissolved. Nutrition is very important in maintaining a healthy life when diagnosed with kidney disease. Nutritional management is individualized. Nutrition may affect persons who have, or are at risk for developing renal disease. The intake of certain nutrients may influence the rate of progression of renal failure in persons with underlying renal disease. High-protein diets can strain the kidneys to the point of failure.

Why is nutrition so  important?

When food is broken down in the stomach and intestines, wastes are formed. These wastes are removed by the kidneys. However, if kidneys are not functioning properly, these waste products will build up in the bloodstream and you may feel weak, tired, nauseated and become ill. The other balancing act the kidneys perform is the regulation of the body's fluid balance. Some patients with kidney disease may retain fluid, leading to puffiness, swollen ankles, hands and feet and breathlessness

Treatment of renal disease may demand severe dietary restrictions or induce nutrient losses. Dietary management of this condition, therefore, must provide protein, energy, and other essential nutrients in amounts adequate to avoid deficiencies but sufficiently restricted to avoid stressing the diminished excretory capacity of the diseased kidney.

The goals of nutritional therapy for both acute and chronic renal failure are to maintain optimal nutritional status, to minimize the toxic effects of excess urea in the blood, to prevent loss of lean body mass, to promote patient well-being, to retard the progression of renal failure, and to postpone initiation of dialysis.

Carbohydrates and fat

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for everyone. If protein has been restricted in your diet, your energy requirements may need to be met by increasing the amount of fats (polyunsaturated and  monounsaturated) and carbohydrates in your diet. Otherwise, you will lose weight and continue to do so, which is undesirable. Once dialysis is commenced, your protein requirements increase, as some proteins are lost from the body during each dialysis session. As your feeling of well- being and appetite improves, you will find it easier to incorporate a greater variety of foods to meet your requirements.

Protein

Protein builds, repairs and maintains body tissues. It also helps the body fight infections and heal wounds. Urea is a waste product which is formed when the body breaks down protein. Your eating plan should be designed to provide enough protein for your body without causing excessive amounts of urea and thus overloading the kidneys.

Too little protein may cause:

• loss of muscle bulk and wasting
• lack of energy

Too much protein forms excess urea which may cause :

• tiredness
• nausea and vomiting
• headaches
• a bad taste in the mouth
• bad breath
• poor memory and concentration

 










Foods high in protein include :

• meat
• chicken
• fish
• eggs
• cheese, milk and other dairy foods (yoghurt, cheese)
• nuts, seeds and legumes

Sodium

Salt affects the amount of fluid the body retains. Salt also increases thirst, which can lead to drinking more fluid than your kidneys can excrete, leading to fluid retention.

This excess fluid may cause:

• high blood pressure
• swelling of ankles, feet, hands and puffiness under the eyes
• shortness of breath

In most cases, the amount of salt in your diet will need to be reduced. Your doctor and dietitian can advise about this.

Foods high in salt include:
• processed foods such as ham, sausage and meats
• dry, canned and pickles made with fish and prawns
• fast food eg. pizza, pies, hamburgers, sausage rolls
• salty snacks eg.papads , chips, salted nuts
• sauces and pickles
• salted seasonings e.g. stock cubes, celery and vegetable salts

Beware of salt substitutes as some contain potassium instead of sodium.
Potassium

Potassium is an essential mineral in the body which helps nerve endings and muscles work well. If the level of potassium is too high or low in the blood, it can cause irregularity of your heart beat. In fact, potassium levels outside the normal range may cause the heart to stop. How much potassium you can you have? This depends on your blood results, as well as the amount of urine you are passing.

Foods high in potassium include:
• dhal, whole grams and its washed and cook
• tinned and homemade soup
• red wine, cider, stout
• bananas, avocados, apricots, rock melons, spinach, mushrooms
• dried peas, beans, baked beans
• potatoes, potato crisps, pumpkin
• chocolates, cocoa,
• tomato pastes and purees
• fruit and vegetable juices
• dried fruit and fruit cake
• stone fruits
• nuts and seeds

A tip for reducing potassium intake is to cut the vegetables into small pieces, boil them and drain off the water. Not all fruits and vegetables have the same amounts of potassium. Ask your dietitian to outline what is appropriate for you.

Phosphate
The amount of phosphate allowed depends on your blood tests.

Foods high in phosphate include:
• nuts, seeds and peanut butter
• dried peas and beans and baked beans
• processed bran cereals
• sardines and fish pastes
• cheese, milk and other dairy products

Fluids

When kidney function deteriorates, the body can retain fluid. Some people may need to limit their fluid intake to minimize this. Your recommended fluid intake will be dependent on your urine output, fluid build-up and your blood pressure. The usual allowance is equal to the urine output plus 500mls.

Fluids  include:
• water and ice
• tea, coffee, juices, milk and milk products
• gravy, sauces and soups
• ice cream, jelly, custard and yoghurt

Some tips for restricting fluids:

• suck ice cubes to quench thirst
• sip small amounts throughout the day
• use smaller cups and glasses

Remember that foods containing fluids need to be included in your fluid allowance.

Other points to remember

• Nutritional care plan needs to be individualized based on degree of renal function.
• It may be difficult to meet vitamin requirements orally and  doctor may prescribe a supplement.
• Ask questions till  you understand about  your diet.
• Initially you may need to measure foods and fluids; for greater accuracy, measure with a cup or scale and don't guess.
• Take your medication as prescribed.
• Organize for regular reviews / follow-up with your dietitian.
• Follow your trends in body weight, blood pressure and blood values.
• Inform your doctor or dietitian if you are losing weight or have any concerns about your diet.
• Following the suggested nutritional care plan may not treat or cure your kidney problem but it could help you reduce some of the symptoms and hence improve your general feeling of well being.

Nail Care for People with Diabetes

P.Bamila
SeenaRajsekar
Dept. of Podiatry

People with diabetes must care for their nails. Nails protect fingers and toes from injury and trauma. Diabetics have decreased sensation and poor circulation to their lower limbs due to long duration of uncontrolled diabetes hence it is easy for them to suffer from infections which can lead to drastic measures including amputation. So it is critical that nails are kept in good condition. The condition of nails can be a great indicator of health problems. Healthy fingernails and toenails will be smooth, slightly curved and somewhat pink. If nails are not healthy looking, this may indicate some type of underlying disease.

Some of the most common nail complaints seen include Fungal nails,ingrown nails,thickened (Ram’s horn) nails, crumbly nails and abscessed/infected nails.
Onychomycosis-Fungal nails


People with diabetes  are prone to developing a fungal infection known as onychomycosis. This fungal infection accounts for approximately 50% of all nail infections. The nails become thickand  brittle that can develop sharp points and hurt  the surrounding skin. Unnoticed small cuts on the fingers and toes can breedbacteria that leads to fungal infections. To keep the nails from developing fungal infection, it is important that all diabetics learn proper nail care. If fungal infections go untreated, they can lead to foot ulcers and gangrene. Many diabetics have lost part of a foot or even a whole foot from diabetic foot ulcers. Diabetics will also find that nail care of the lower extremities will also help to improve their health and well-being because they often suffer from peripheral vascular compromise.

Ingrown toenails

Ingrowing toe nails ,also called Onychocryptosis,occurs when small nail spike or tear on the side of the nail pierces the skin leading to pain and infection. This normally occurs along the sides of the nails from improper nail cutting techniques or trauma.

What causes ingrown toenails?
The sideways growing portion of nail acts like a foreign body and pokes into or pinches off a small piece of skin at the outer edge of the toe. This may cause a break in the skin, causing inflammation and possibly infection. The inflammation often causes more thickening of the nail skin fold, further exacerbating the problem. The protruding piece of nail keeps pushing into the skin, causing further injury and pain.

How to prevent ingrown toenails from recurring
Wear wider-toe shoes and avoid trauma and repeated injury to toenails. Protect toes during sports and avoid curving or cutting toenails too short at the edges.

Hypertrophied  fungal Nail

The nails are exceptionally hypertrophied from fungal infection in this patient who has not had podiatric care.  Due to the increased pressure transmitted to underlying tissues, these nails can damage the nail bed which may then become secondarily infected and ulcerate.

Curved Nails

Involuted nails have a higher curvature of the nail than usual. In some cases the curvature of the nail is so severe that the tip of the nail curves around in a circle leading to pinching of the skin causing pain, discomfort, and infection.
Involuted nails are often painful and can develop into ingrown nails. The tendency for involuted nails often runs in families. Ill-fitting shoes and incorrect nail cutting, particularly cutting down the sides of the nails can aggravate involuted nails.
Onychophosis

Onychophosis is a growth of the horny epithelium in the nail. This often causes a build up of "dead skin" under and around the nail.
Nail Fungus

This infection is contagious and will often travel from the skin to the nail especial after a trauma has occurred to the nail bed. It can result in discoloration, thickening, chalkiness or crumbling of the nails. Fungal infections in the nails can take on a number of appearances and should be assessed by a podiatrist. It is also important to note, however, that nail scrapings are not always accurate way to diagnose onychomycosis.
Thickened Nails

Onychogryphosis (ram's horn nails) is a general thickening of the nail/nails. It can often occur as a result of injury to the matrix such as dropping a brick on a toe, long term neglect (especially elongated nails), or a number of repetitive  knocks such as those that occur with continuous use of poor fitting shoe wear. In addition to increased thickness and curvature of then nail, it may also become discolored with a brown tinge and may grow more quickly of one side than the other. When nails get too thick to cut, you may need regular nail care from a podiatrist to reduce the thickness of the nails and to help trim them back as required.   
   
Lifting of the Nail
Onycholysis is the painless separation of the nail from the nailbed. Onycholysis can occur in response to illness, prolonged water exposure, skin diseases such as psoriasis, irritation from chemicals or the result of injury or repetitive trauma and irritation such as from tight shoes or high heels.

Treatment Options for nail conditions:
Nail pathology in diabetes can be a serious ailment, but some simple and effective treatments are available.
o    Doing pedicure regularly
o    Visiting the podiatry department for nail care
o    Topical/ oral antifungals application as per the podiatric surgeon’s prescription should be followed.
o    In extreme cases of onychomycosis, surgical intervention has to be administered to prevent recurrence.
o    Keeping sugar under control.

Good Hygiene Is the Best Preventive Measure:
•    The best way to keep nails free from fungus is to have good hygiene.
•    Keep the fingernails and toenails clean and make sure to dry the feet thoroughly before putting on socks and shoes.
•    A person with diabetes should only wear comfortable fitting leather shoes that are not too tight.
•    Diabetics should only wear cotton socks that will absorb moisture from the skin of the feet.
•    Don’t cut toenail very deeply. Always  file the nails with the nail file
•    Keep good blood sugar control.
•    Visit the podiatristregularly.
 

COUNTDOWN TO WORLD DIABETES DAY – NOVEMBER 14

Mrs.Sheela Paul &AadarshDietitians

World Diabetes Day, which is celebrated on 14th November every year, has  become a globally-celebrated event that aims to increase awareness about diabetes. World Diabetes Day is proving internationally effective in spreading the message about diabetes and raising awareness of the condition.Thisday was jointly introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) amidst concern over an increasing diabetes epidemic.

Why this date?

November 14th is a significant date in the diabetes calendar because it symbolizes the birthday of the man who discovered insulin, Frederick Banting. Banting discovered insulin in 1922, along with Charles Best. World Diabetes Day is internationally recognized and is now an official United Nations Day.

WDD logo

The logo of World Diabetes Day is a blue circle. The logo was adopted in 2007 to commemoratethe passing of the United Nations World Diabetes Day Resolution. The significance of the blue circle symbol is tremendously positive. Through out cultures, the circle symbolizes life and health. The colour blue reflects the sky that unites all nations and is the colour of the United Nations flag. The blue circle signifies the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the diabetes epidemic.

Celebrating World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day is celebrated in different ways around the globe through a range of activities and events such as:

• Sports events
• Free screenings for diabetes and its complications
• Public information meetings
• Poster and leaflet campaigns
• Diabetes workshops and exhibitions
• Press conferences
• Newspaper and magazine articles
• Events for children and adolescents
• Monument lightings
• Human blue circles
• Walks
• Runs
• Cycle Race
• Political Events

What are you going to do?

BE THE CHANGE . EVERY 10 SECONDS A PERSON DIES OF DIABETES. EVERY 10 SECONDS 2 PEOPLE DEVELOP DIABETES.

Is there a theme?   

Each year World Diabetes Day is centred on a theme related to diabetes. Topics covered in the past have included diabetes and human rights, diabetes and lifestyle, and the costs of diabetes.
Recent themes include:

2005: Diabetes and Foot Care
2006: Diabetes in the Disadvantaged and the Vulnerable
2007-2008: Diabetes in Children and Adolescents
2009-2013: Diabetes Education and Prevention

Slogan - Understand Diabetes and Take Control

Are you at risk?
Know  the warning signs.
Learn more about Diabetes and its complications
Reduce your risk of Type 2 Diabetes

(source: www.idf.org)

Recently, the International Diabetes Federation released the 4th Edition of the Diabetes Atlas, revealing that some 285 million people are now living with diabetes . By 2030, the IDF predict that 435 million people worldwide will have the disease.

"Diabetes is claiming four million lives each year". "It is ravaging communities and threatening economies. We must improve care and stop the many millions at risk from developing the disease. With a growing cost of over 376 billion dollars a year, either we make healthy life choices available and affordable now, or pay billions more tomorrow."Professor Jean Claude Mbanya-  Past President of IDF (2009 – 2013)

For a Safe and Healthy Diwali

 Sheela Paul &Rohini – Dietitians , MVH

Diwali is a very special day for millions of Indians living all over the world, and Indians come together as one single community to celebrate this grand festival. People start preparing for the celebrations a few weeks in advance but as the day approaches it becomes important to register a few important tips to keep it safe, enjoyable and healthy .

Diwali involves eating delicious food. People with diabetes may feel depressed as they cannot have rich food items and sweets for fear of spikes in their blood sugar level.  However, they can  still enjoy Diwali sweets and other food items that are made with artificial sweeteners, choosing them carefully  and eating  other  meals with minimum calories during the day so that they  can easily have one or two sweets that cannot  be avoided.

 It is important to monitor blood sugar levels and exercise regularly during this time if you plan to indulge a little.

 Calorie count of common Indian Sweets & some recommended exercises to burn those calories.

Gulab jamun
Calories/per piece: 150kcal
Exercise to burn  the calories: Walking  for 45 minutes at moderate speed
Rasgula      

Calories/per piece: 125kcal
Exercise to burn calories: 15 minutes of step aerobics.

Kajukatri     
Calories/per piece: 58kcal   
Exercise to burn calories: Running for 8 minutes

Burfi       
Calories/per piece: 142kcal   
Exercise to burn calories: Swimming for 15 minutes

Sooji ladoo 
Calories/per piece: 134kcal   
Exercise to burn calories: Cycling for 20min at the speed of 20km/hour.

Jalebi        
Calories/per piece: 200kcal   
Exercise to burn calories: Jogging for 20minutes.

Moong dhal ladoo        
Calories/per piece: 150kcal   
Exercise to burn calories:. Skipping for 20 minutes.

Coconut burfi        
Calories/per piece: 192kcal   
Exercise to burn calories: Playing badminton for 40 minutes

Make your Diwali special for yourself, your family and your friends. Happy Diwali

Celebrate a diabetic - Friendly Diwali

Sheela Paul &Rohini
-    Dietitians

Festivals are associated with happiness and merry making, food and drink. These festivals, however, are not very friendly to people with diabetes, who are often forced to make dietary changes. During festivals, people with diabetes are exposed to calorie –rich and unhealthy food, yet not allowed to eat them by family members who take on the role of‘diabetes police’.  However, people with diabetes can also celebrate festivals with the rest of the family without harming themselves.

Indian cuisine is rich in healthy, low-calorie, diabetes- friendly recipes and food preparations. A bit of creativity, originality and effort on the part of the family  can produce many diabetes friendly dishes.

Advancements in treatment options keep diabetics well and allow them to live a healthy life without complications.

Diet, exercise, medication and monitoringare the four pillars for maintaining glucose and insulin levels in the blood at all times.

About the Diet: 

 

A diabetic diet is not about abstaining  from food you love, but about making simple modifications. Choose foods like whole grains, pulses and nuts, vegetables, fruits and fat-free/low-fat milk products.

Eating at regular intervals helps to control blood glucose levels. Diabetics should have six small meals rather than 2 – 3 large meals a day. Limit fried foods, sugars, sweets, desserts, candies and refined foods.

Physical activity



Regular exercise is important for everyone, especially for people with diabetes. Around 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week is necessary to control blood sugar levels. It also burns excess calories and fat.However, exercise doesn’t mean spending hours at the gym or running for miles. It can even be activities like dancing, skipping, cycling, playing badminton and swimming. It is important to choose an activity that you enjoy and do it regularly.

Medication

People with type-2 diabetes are either on oral hypoglycemic drugs oron  insulin. Oral medications  are effective as long asthere are some  active insulin producing beta cells. Recent studies have shown that early and appropriate use of insulin not only prevents short-term complications but also reduces long-term effects of poorly controlled diabetes and slows down the natural progression of the disease. Diabetics should take medications as directed and should not drop or change drugs without consulting their doctor.

Monitoring

Check your blood sugar as often as your doctor suggests. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels helps doctors to analyse the effect of food, exercise and insulin or medicine on you. Along with self-monitoring of blood glucose level, get an HbA1C test done every three months without fail.

The HbA1C level shows how well the blood sugar has been controlled during the previous 2 – 3 months. Also, get blood pressure, lipid profile, urine microalbuminuria and serum creatinine checked regularly to prevent further complications.

Lifestyle modifications

There are various day-to -day situations that can alter your daily routine and hence the best way to cope with diabetes is to take an active part in the treatment plan.

Acute illness: Illnesses like viral colds or flu, infections, dental problems, injuries, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea can disrupt your blood glucose control. In case of illness, glucose monitoring should be increased along with treating the illness. Also keep a check on the fluid intake during this period.It is better to visit your doctor if your blood sugar is too high or low. Emotional stress also affects blood glucose levels. Hence, it is better to stay at home when ill and take adequate rest.

Party time and festivals: People with diabetes can enjoy foods served at parties and festivals but in moderation. Don’t stop your medicines and monitoring on any occasion and practise portion control. Follow a regular exercise routine. Eating more during festivals can be compensated by moderate exercise.

Avoid smoking and alcohol. If you want to drink, then don’t drink on an empty stomach.Have a drink along with your meal. It is better to avoid fasting. But if you want to, it is essential to consult doctor your before you fast.

In a nutshell

• Follow your schedule of eating, activity, and medicine regime.

• Try to maintain optimum weight, activity, blood sugar level.

• Prevent hyper and hypoglycemia. Always carry a carbohydrate snacks to handle a low blood sugar level at anytime.

• Take food on time.

Understanding diabetes and keeping the balance between all four pillars remains the key to good health for people with diabetes. It is a disorder but you can manage it and live a happy life.

It is natural for people with diabetes to experience anxiety and fear because they have to constantly maintain their blood sugar levels. Therefore, a few changes in lifestyle and food habits along with proper medication and monitoring can help a diabetic lead a normal and healthy life.

Diabetes friendly Diwali- Enjoy your portion of sweet!!

 

Diwali is just around the corner and almost everyone in the country has started their preparations for its celebration. This festival of light is an excuse for many to indulge in binge eating especially sweets that rich in calorie.

Diwali is a time when variety of sweets, fried savories is served as a part of the rituals and it becomes harder for any individual especially a diabetic to take utmost care of his diet and blood glucose levels.

So let us know about the nutritional information of the commonly eaten Indian sweets, which will be of help to manage the diabetes.

Nutritive value per serving (1 piece)

Ways to keep your blood glucose under control

1. The first and foremost thing is to monitor your blood glucose levels before going for sweets if the levels are between 100-150 mg/dl choose either 1 piece Kaju katli /Barfi / Rasgulla/Jalebi or ½ piece of Gulab jamun (or 1 small Gulab jamun)/ Milk cake Mithai/ Mysore pak.

2. If your levels begin to go too high, keep a count of your calorie it’s important to cut down on carbohydrate rich foods like Rice/ Idly/ Pongal etc.

3. If you’re on insulin your blood glucose levels can go low as well as high and its important to be aware of the symptoms of high and low blood glucose levels. If you feel your levels are either too high or too low, do a blood glucose test and take appropriate action.

4. If your blood glucose levels are above 200 mg/dl you can choose sweets prepared with artificial sweeteners (Dezire).

Nutritive value per serving (1 piece)

5. When buying sweets choose from options that are made with natural sweeteners like dates or fig.

6. You can enjoy the traditional food varieties that are prepared during Diwali by making changes to the recipes. You can substitute the style of cooking to make dishes healthier.

Nutritive value per serving (1 cup -100 ml)

7. Choose your food options wisely and avoid fluctuations in your sugar levels. Control your portion size and choose grilled, baked or barbequed snacks instead of fried ones.

8. Diwali is a festival of giving, do not accumulate boxes of sweets or chocolates you may be tempted to binge on it. Eating sweets and fried savories can directly affect your blood glucose levels. Eating a small portion of these sweets will keep you healthy.

9. If you want to send gifts to your family and friends, try gifting fruits or juice hampers instead of the traditional sweets and savories. Spread the word of good health even during festivals.

10. Do not let festival be a reason to skip exercise. Follow your regular exercise regime to stay healthy. Look for ways to keep yourself active through the day. During festivals most individuals tend to eat calorie laden food, in such a scenario skipping exercise could strongly affect your sugar levels.

Sensible eating and exercising is not only important for diabetics but for every individual to enjoy the festival in a healthy way.

Wish you all a happy and healthy Diabetes friendly Diwali!!!!         


Posted by Dr.Vimala

M.V.Hospital for Diabetes

Chennai.