Does Christmas affect your HbA1c test?

[Xela]

We are coming up to Christmas, if you have followed a careful eating plan all year but at Christmas and New Year, you drink wine, maybe have a piece of Christmas pudding or some tasty mince pies or other delights at both celebrations. What happens to your HbA1c tests ?

Do your tests show a big rise in numbers or just a little as you only deviated twice?

What is your personal experience? How do you stay 'safe'.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Do your tests show a big rise in numbers or just a little as you only deviated twice?

It won't make much difference. You're allowed to enjoy occasional events like that in any case. (Once I had an appointment with a dietician and she commented on one day when I wasn't much in range. When I noted it was my birthday she just said OK, we'll ignore that day.)

 

[gail2]

Th e Diabetic fairy has these days off If you are careful it should not affect your HbA1c

 

[Lucyr]

hba1c reflects a 3 month ish period. No one has no challenges for 3 months in a row, there will always be days where you are out, celebrated a birthday, whatever. Christmas is no different, just another one of those days.

 

[Lucyr]

It won't make much difference. You're allowed to enjoy occasional events like that in any case. (Once I had an appointment with a dietician and she commented on one day when I wasn't much in range. When I noted it was my birthday she just said OK, we'll ignore that day.)

I quite like the carb counting course I’m on, as we were reviewing my libre traces on the screen I said “I went out for pizza on Thursday and was just in a grumpy mood on Friday so I’d ignore those”. She said ah no worries we all have those days and just scrolled past.

 

[Merluza]

I'm very boring and don't binge at Christmas which is made easier for me because I don't much care for mince pies, pudding or Christmas cake. My problems arise when I'm invited to a pre-Christmas lunch and I don't know what's coming next and so generally overdo it. Next day I'm back to normal so don't worry, I just get irritated with myself and it happens every year.

 

[Xela]

Thank you so much everybody for these reassuring replies. I feel much more confident that I can eat a little treat on special occasions.

 

[trophywench]

After marrying a chap with 2 grown up daughters who by that time had some grandkids we were invited to the youngest's birthday tea party complete with a typical little girl's birthday cake after the usual savoury stuff her mother knew I could cope with OK - being a classically trained chef with high IQ assists me there so she had whispered 'Are you going to want a slice of cake, Jen?' 'No thanks' so when birthday girl queried why mum hadn't given Grandma Jen any cake yet (not like her mum!) and before I could think of the right answer daughter seamlessly said, No - she ate so much tea (Oh bugger, I wish I had) she just hasn't got space for cake right now, so don't worry, she'll take her slice home with her to enjoy later!. And since then D has known very well that I positively loathe fondant - and always have! Was always far too sweet and OMG has far more than healthy for anyone glucose syrup in it, so that it's flexible enough to cover awkward shapes properly (eg a T Rex or Thomas the Tank Engine, Pooh Bear etc) and handcraft sledges or Xmas trees, wedding rings, whatever instead of the much loved plastic ones you've had for 40 years and keep in that special box/tin at the back of Y cupboard.

But the cake itself was bloomin gorgeous light Victoria sponge - except I could only have a teeny bit since no way could Grandad eat that much fondant without enough cake for balance either!

Proceed normally, using discretion when necessary! 😉

 

[Xela]

After marrying a chap with 2 grown up daughters who by that time had some grandkids we were invited to the youngest's birthday tea party complete with a typical little girl's birthday cake after the usual savoury stuff her mother knew I could cope with OK - being a classically trained chef with high IQ assists me there so she had whispered 'Are you going to want a slice of cake, Jen?' 'No thanks' so when birthday girl queried why mum hadn't given Grandma Jen any cake yet (not like her mum!) and before I could think of the right answer daughter seamlessly said, No - she ate so much tea (Oh bugger, I wish I had) she just hasn't got space for cake right now, so don't worry, she'll take her slice home with her to enjoy later!. And since then D has known very well that I positively loathe fondant - and always have! Was always far too sweet and OMG has far more than healthy for anyone glucose syrup in it, so that it's flexible enough to cover awkward shapes properly (eg a T Rex or Thomas the Tank Engine, Pooh Bear etc) and handcraft sledges or Xmas trees, wedding rings, whatever instead of the much loved plastic ones you've had for 40 years and keep in that special box/tin at the back of Y cupboard.

But the cake itself was bloomin gorgeous light Victoria sponge - except I could only have a teeny bit since no way could Grandad eat that much fondant without enough cake for balance either!

Proceed normally, using discretion when necessary! 😉

Very diplomatic answer to the birthday girl

 

[trophywench]

It came 'naturally' by then though I spose it's 'more recently learned child psychology' since this little girl was her 3rd - and last - baby. (Girl, boy, girl) Total now with her younger sisters 4 daughters is 6 granddaughters and Tim, and thus far 3 GD's have given us 5 GG kids - 3 boys and 2 girls, youngest GD is about the same age as the eldest GGS. Normal folk have cousins about the same age as them - not 'this lot' !

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thank you so much everybody for these reassuring replies. I feel much more confident that I can eat a little treat on special occasions.

I think there’s an important balance to be struck between enjoying things, but not losing the plot completely. Actively choosing when you will, and won’t have whatever it is.

There’s a very wise blog post I often link to at this time of year, that very eloquently describes that balance.

Post in thread 'The dreaded 'C ' word.'

Oct 27, 2024

Another opportunity to shout out THANKS to all those who give their experience and expertise in this forum.Not sure if this makes sense but I know what I mean.....

Here’s something I've posted once or twice on the forum before, because it really struck a chord with me when I first read it.

It’s by Jennifer (of Jennifer’s Advice) who doesn’t get shared so much on the forum these days, but who wrote about her experience of life with diabetes with real pragmatism and wisdom. This is a small extract:

With the holidays coming up, give yourself permission to be human.There is a...​

• everydayupsanddowns

• 

At the end of the day, you don’t want to make yourself feel grim, or annoyed/frustrated with horrendous levels by going nuts. So choose your moments, and enjoy them. But don’t get swept up in the excesses of it and male yourself ill 🙂

 

[Leadinglights]

I think there’s an important balance to be struck between enjoying things, but not losing the plot completely. Actively choosing when you will, and won’t have whatever it is.

There’s a very wise blog post I often link to at this time of year, that very eloquently describes that balance.

Post in thread 'The dreaded 'C ' word.'

Oct 27, 2024

Another opportunity to shout out THANKS to all those who give their experience and expertise in this forum.Not sure if this makes sense but I know what I mean.....

Here’s something I've posted once or twice on the forum before, because it really struck a chord with me when I first read it.

It’s by Jennifer (of Jennifer’s Advice) who doesn’t get shared so much on the forum these days, but who wrote about her experience of life with diabetes with real pragmatism and wisdom. This is a small extract:

With the holidays coming up, give yourself permission to be human.There is a...​

• everydayupsanddowns

• 

At the end of the day, you don’t want to make yourself feel grim, or annoyed/frustrated with horrendous levels by going nuts. So choose your moments, and enjoy them. But don’t get swept up in the excesses of it and male yourself ill 🙂

Actively choosing when you will, and won’t have whatever it is.
I think that is a very good ethos and really applies all the time not just on special occasions. Nobody should feel pressured to have or not have something by other people, it is your choice what goes in your mouth.

 

[Burylancs]

We are coming up to Christmas, if you have followed a careful eating plan all year but at Christmas and New Year, you drink wine, maybe have a piece of Christmas pudding or some tasty mince pies or other delights at both celebrations. What happens to your HbA1c tests ?

Do your tests show a big rise in numbers or just a little as you only deviated twice?

What is your personal experience? How do you stay 'safe'.

Don't have an HbA1c test until April !

 

[Xela]

I think there’s an important balance to be struck between enjoying things, but not losing the plot completely. Actively choosing when you will, and won’t have whatever it is.

There’s a very wise blog post I often link to at this time of year, that very eloquently describes that balance.

Post in thread 'The dreaded 'C ' word.'

Oct 27, 2024

Another opportunity to shout out THANKS to all those who give their experience and expertise in this forum.Not sure if this makes sense but I know what I mean.....

Here’s something I've posted once or twice on the forum before, because it really struck a chord with me when I first read it.

It’s by Jennifer (of Jennifer’s Advice) who doesn’t get shared so much on the forum these days, but who wrote about her experience of life with diabetes with real pragmatism and wisdom. This is a small extract:

With the holidays coming up, give yourself permission to be human.There is a...​

• everydayupsanddowns

• 

At the end of the day, you don’t want to make yourself feel grim, or annoyed/frustrated with horrendous levels by going nuts. So choose your moments, and enjoy them. But don’t get swept up in the excesses of it and male yourself ill 🙂

Thank you for this. I am beginning to see that I have a head start in managing my food intake as I have many food allergies and intolerances. Over the past couple of years I had been cutting back on sugar and once I found out that my numbers were going the wrong way, I cut out the sugar in drinks and passed on the gluten free, dairy free, nut free etc sweet biscuits that I used to have in the afternoon.

I think Christmas isn't going to be all that difficult after all, I have some dark chocolate that I will have one square of a day (as I used to after lunch) after my main meal if I feel like it. Maybe the challenge will come with the red wine!

 

[Leadinglights]

Thank you for this. I am beginning to see that I have a head start in managing my food intake as I have many food allergies and intolerances. Over the past couple of years I had been cutting back on sugar and once I found out that my numbers were going the wrong way, I cut out the sugar in drinks and passed on the gluten free, dairy free, nut free etc sweet biscuits that I used to have in the afternoon.

I think Christmas isn't going to be all that difficult after all, I have some dark chocolate that I will have one square of a day (as I used to after lunch) after my main meal if I feel like it. Maybe the challenge will come with the red wine!

Red wine is low in carbs or spirits with diet mixers should be fine in the normal advise, in modertion.

 

[Xela]

Red wine is low in carbs or spirits with diet mixers should be fine in the normal advise, in modertion.

Thank goodness, there are so few things I can eat or drink now for various reasons that this is a welcome response! You made my day

 

[Theo]

Xela I know just how you feel . I had my blood test last January which came back at 46 so pre diabetic. Since then I’ve really followed a low carb diet. Keeping at usually under 100 grams per day. I wasn’t that overweight but have lost nearly a stone with cutting carbs.
My worry is Christmas as I’ve done so well for the past 11 months and am determined not to slip up now as my next test is due in January
Although I have got used to my diet now and quite enjoy it as it’s become a way of life. Even though as people have said on here that a few treats over Christmas won’t harm I still feel anxious about straying off my diet.

 

[Xela]

Xela I know just how you feel . I had my blood test last January which came back at 46 so pre diabetic. Since then I’ve really followed a low carb diet. Keeping at usually under 100 grams per day. I wasn’t that overweight but have lost nearly a stone with cutting carbs.
My worry is Christmas as I’ve done so well for the past 11 months and am determined not to slip up now as my next test is due in January
Although I have got used to my diet now and quite enjoy it as it’s become a way of life. Even though as people have said on here that a few treats over Christmas won’t harm I still feel anxious about straying off my diet.

There can be a lot of pressure from people around us to join in at Christmas, and the includes just having a little bit of something that looks tasty.

From the responses I have read on here, I can see that it isn't really that one little thing or two, but it's when people get complacent and one little thing leads to many little, then larger things.

My Christmas food was ordered since weeks ago with that in mind!