pandagirl Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 My boyfriend has Type 1 diabetes. I know he's gained a little weight in the last few years, but nothing more than a teeny beer belly. The thing is, I don't think he leads a healthy lifestyle for someone who is diabetic. He drinks a lot, eats out often, and doesn't work out (although, I know at some point he was a gym rat). He's very good about checking his blood sugar and giving himself insulin, etc, but he seems to just eat whatever he wants, cookies, fried food, ice cream... Primarily, I am concerned about the drinking! Should a diabetic be drinking NUMEROUS drinks in one night?
carhill Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 IMO, no, but that won't stop someone who loves to drink. Much like the smoker smoking through a trach-hole, a diabetic who is addicted to alcohol will drink even as their eyesight dims and their legs turn blue. I'm pre-diabetic (about 120 mg/dl fasting last checked) and have limited myself to no more than two drinks in any day and no more than two days a week, so four drinks (like a glass of wine, for example) a week. I also limit carbs and balance them with proteins and fructose (instead of sucrose). The key is moderation. It takes some work to acheive, especially when one has long been healthy and able to do pretty much anything diet and beverage-wise. Having treated my mom's diabetes (type 2) and seeing friends go blind and have limbs threatened, it's a reality check. I don't want that if I can avoid it. Your friend will have to see that light on his own. Sticking a syringe in himself a couple times a day isn't some magic get out of jail free card; it's part of a treatment and lifestyle program of health. Hope it works out for him
Author pandagirl Posted February 19, 2010 Author Posted February 19, 2010 Thanks Carhill. Now that my boyfriend has moved away from NYC and the enormous work related stress he was under here, I'm betting/hoping he has cut down already on the alcohol and food intake. He's been dealing with his diabetes for 15 years, so I'm sure he knows his body better than me, but it doesn't stop me from worrying!
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