Type 1 Diabetes – A Sugar-Free Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is one of the hardest holidays through which to stay on track. After all, the holiday is characterized by offering sweet things to your sweetheart…and receiving sweet things from your sweetheart. However, Diabetics, especially Type 1 Diabetics, need to be careful about accepting sugary surprises from their loved ones next week.

Valentine CandyEspecially if you’re in a new relationship, it’s important to let your sweetheart know about your Type 1 Diabetes. This conversation isn’t always easy when you just start dating someone, of course, but it might be more awkward to receive a box of chocolates and not eat one right away to please your sweetheart. If your honey knows that you can’t eat sugar, she or he can plan to give you another token of his or her affection that you can actually enjoy – such as a rose, book of love poems, or a stuffed animal.

Valentine BalloonsIf you have unwillingly developed a sweet tooth for Valentine’s Day candies, investigate sugar-free options. While many doctors agree that even sugar-free candies can raise your blood sugar level and awaken that dangerous sweet tooth, you may be fine to indulge in one or two pieces of sugar-free candy… as long as you closely monitor your blood sugar readings.

While many people celebrate their love for their sweethearts with a sweet gift, there’s no rule saying that candy is the only way to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Develop tunnel vision in the grocery store this year by walking past the copious displays of Valentine’s Day candy and heading straight for the flowers and cards. After all, flowers and cards may not be sweet, but they sure last longer than a box of chocolates!

It may be hard to avoid getting candy for Valentine’s Day; nearly everyone receives it from work, neighbors, friends, and other well-meaning associates. However, just because you are given candy doesn’t mean you have to indulge…and it doesn’t mean you have to feel guilty about throwing it away. Become a candy donor and give away all that candy that you really don’t want anyway, right? Your friends and family will love you for your sweet charity!