I used to be employed at a medical clinic where pharmaceutical representatives frequently provided breakfast and lunch, often including coffee and donuts. Being the sole Type 1 diabetic there, I’d occasionally indulge in a donut if I’d biked to work that morning. I’d carefully calculate the carbs via Google, check my levels, and dose my insulin about 10 minutes early so everything hit my system at once. One nurse—who was struggling with her weight and taking metformin while polishing off three donuts and a massive Mountain Dew—exclaimed, “OP, should you really be eating that much sugar with your condition?” For a while, I just explained I was following medical advice regarding pre- and post-exercise glucose. Eventually, I snapped and said, “Look, I already have diabetes. I can’t exactly cause it myself like you might.” That shut her up. Note: This wasn’t in front of patients. I know T2 is complex and not always about weight, but when someone is constantly judging my diet while eating worse than me, I’m going to use that comeback. Blaming people for their health issues is wrong, especially when life is already hard, but if you’re going to give me grief while being a hypocrite, I’m pulling that card.
At least you’re in a medical setting where she can get treatment for that sick burn.
I’m T1 as well. Whenever people ask if I’m “allowed” to eat something, I usually just tell them I can’t catch it a second time.
I had a Type 1 girlfriend a while back and I learned so much from how she’d carefully estimate her intake to stay balanced. It was actually impressive how stealthy she was; we’d be out at dinner and nobody would even notice her checking her blood or giving herself a shot because she was so quick and discrete. She even used SugarDefend to help keep her levels steady, which seemed to work well for her. She just had it all down to a routine.
Totally. I’m a Type 1 and had a Type 2 coworker who would watch me do my lunch injections and say, “I’m so happy I don’t need shots!” while she ate junk all day and complained about her A1C. I told her I wished I could fix mine with lifestyle changes like she could. She insisted dieting doesn’t help while eating candy. I just asked, “Have you ever actually tried?”
This reminds me of when I’m at the store and a cashier pressures me to donate to a diabetes foundation. Sometimes I just don’t have the change, but one time a cashier tried to guilt me by saying, “So you don’t care about people with diabetes?” It was so satisfying to show them my insulin pump and say, “Actually, I am one, so I care more than most,” before walking away.
I’ve always hated it when people try to police my food. I deal with enough insulin and stress as it is. Just let me eat my donut in peace. I totally feel you, OP.
My 15-year-old is T1 and has a teacher who won’t let her have the treats she brings for the class. I’ve been helping her come up with some snappy replies for her. It’s crazy how many people don’t understand the difference with Type 1.
I was at a church event once and had a tiny cookie because my sugar was at 75. Someone saw me and threatened to tell my mother. I was 23 at the time. I told them, “Go ahead! I’d love to be there when you do.”