‘There’ll be some really good bargains tomorrow,’ my boss said to me, referring to our Easter sale. (Also, one of the best things to come out of Coronavirus.) ‘Oh, I suppose you don’t eat chocolate,’ he replied.
‘I love chocolate,’ I said, desperately trying to pretend I didn’t know exactly where this was going.
‘Really.’ He seemed surprised. ‘I didn’t think you could eat chocolate, being a diabetic,’ he replied, in an inquisitive sort of a fashion.
Then, without even having to rack my brain for a witty/educational/de-stigmatising comeback, an utterly brilliant response just came out of my mouth.
‘I eat chocolate. I’m not too sure what other people with diabetes out there choose to eat, but I choose to eat chocolate.’
I have had this conversation hundreds of times. I’m sure I’ve written this blog post more times than I can count on my fingers. I am absolutely tired of writing it, just as I’m sure you are tired of reading it. But I’ll keep documenting the stigma, until the world finally gets it.
I want chocolate for Easter. Small eggs, hunting eggs, Dream bunnies, Lindt bunnies, Old Gold and Malteaster bunnies.
What I do or don’t choose to put into my mouth is nobody else’s business but my own. Contrary to what you might think, you are not being helpful by commenting on the food choices of any human being.
I live with diabetes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year (366 days in a leap year). Believe it or not, Easter really is no different. I really don’t need you to show even the slightest bit of concern about how I will manage my diabetes around it. I’ll be just fine.
The biggest problem that this diabetic faces this Easter is that he can’t seem to find any Cherry Ripe or speckled eggs on store shelves this year. They’re a favourite in our house, so if you do know of any tips, please be sure to send them my way.
Have a happy, safe and self isolated Easter.
I’m with you on that one. People just don’t get it and they don’t listen.We will handle what goes into our bodies , they don’t have to
I agree with your frustration with some people’s ignorance of Type 1 Diabetes. I have a second pet peeve that really ticks me off probably more so than that one. I live just southeast of downtown Phoenix. We love it here. When we were moving here a few years back, I hated when people commented on our summer weather. I’d ask them what summer month did they visit in and they’d always say “oh I’ve never been there. I just see those temps on the news”. My answer to them was always “that’s just ignorance talking”. People do comment on many things they know nothing about. I always mention to people about my insulin pump and my CGM that links to it. I always say I can eat whatever I want except for sweet drinks, like regular sodas. I even enjoy juices now and then, especially Pineapple Orange Banana. I don’t think people intend to be annoying. They just don’t know any better. Enjoy your Easter and your chocolate.
I totally agree; could you imagine the outcry if society started dictating to person/s afflicted with obesity, what they should or shouldn’t put in their mouths. Now I am from the other end of the spectrum and eat a totally whole food diet, but people make this assumption that I do so because I have diabetes, which is not the case at all. Unfortunately ignorance generally prevails. Lol
i feel i need to qualify my last statement: i am very broad when it comes to what people put in their mouth, diabetes or not, on the premise that people should be aware and informed about the effects of what they consume, be it food, alcohol drugs or whatever else ……….By informed i mean of it’s manufacturing process, it’s benefits and any known adverse effects. In particular i am very interested in how food can be used as a therapeutic tool but the main reason i eat a plant based diet is because it seems ethical and altruist to animals.
HAPPY EASTER Frank, Thanks for all the stuff you share with us.
Mmmmmm. Lindt eggs and bunnies. Yummmmmmm! Totally bolus worthy.
Enjy your chocolate, Frank. Thanks for sharing. Happy Easter.
I enjoy Easter candy also, but when going out with
family and friends for Easter dinner(not this year)
I feel like they are all watching what I put on
my plate. That is why I keep my stash at home.
I eat whatever I want and have perfect health after 42 years type1. No one has ever commented on what I eat.