How to Sucessfully Navigate Parties as a Type 1 Diabetic
Summer is officially HERE!!!!!! If you love those 4ths of July BBQs and Summer Birthday Bashes, it’s time to celebrate with friends and family that you haven’t seen in over a year thanks to Covid-19. As a diabetic, parties can be difficult to enjoy without overwhelming anxiety. Figuring out things like what outfit will I wear that won’t show my medical devices too much, how many carbs are in that cake, or how should I bolus for that wine cooler? We will explore all of these issues and much more.
1. Picking the perfect party outfit
- Don’t wear open-toed shoes if there will be drinking and dancing. Someone with heels on could accidentally step on your foot.
- Don’t be afraid to wear the cute outfit even if your Pump or CGM shows. Most won’t notice and if they do, it’s an opportunity to educate.
- If outside, always wear sunscreen and don’t forget to reapply as directed. Sunburns will cause high blood sugars so best avoid it at all costs.
- Wear the fashionable hat. It will protect your face and scalp from any burns. Wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace. In case someone who doesn’t know you finds you passed out.
![Hilary Duff Nothing to Wear](https://buyinsulin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/hilary-duff-nothing-to-wear.gif)
2. Eating and drinking at the party
- Avoid sugary drinks like punch, lemonade, and sweet tea. Bring a few diet options for the party if water isn’t your thing.
- The cheese board is your friend at any party
- Picking low carb options can take the stress out of any party. Consider eating before the party, so you know the carb count better.
- Keep an eye on your blood sugar if you consume alcohol
- Alcohol tends to bottom out blood sugar (unless it’s a mixed drink with lots of sugar and carbs) since the liver responds to alcohol like a toxin and focuses only on removing it from the bloodstream; it won’t process like normal.
- Fix a plate, count the carbs, and pre-bolus for it
- That way you don’t have to worry about remembering to take it later.
- Try to have only one dessert
- If that isn’t good enough, just have one bite of each dessert but don’t go over 4-5 bites total.
![Pusheen Eating](https://buyinsulin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/pusheen-eating-icegif.gif)
3. Check your blood sugar before, during, and after the party
- Having food and drinks you aren’t used to
- keeping a close eye on blood sugars and making correction doses.
- Drinking alcohol may cause your food not to be absorbed for a few hours
- keeping a close eye on blood sugars, realizing your insulin and food may take a while to absorb in your liver after alcohol.
![Low Blood Sugar](https://buyinsulin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Low-BS.jpg)
4. Take other’s suggestions with a grain of salt
- Aunt Karen’s advice on not eating that cookie is probably based on what she knows about uncle Vernon’s type 2 diabetes
- Take the opportunity to educate her on type 1 or just say “uh-huh” and move on. Sometimes you just don’t even feel like fighting that battle with the ignorant Karens of the world.
5. Have a designated “buddy” at the party
- To help check on you or split a dessert or drink with
- It could be a date or a best friend or family member.
- If you don’t know many people there, inform the host that you are diabetic so they can keep an eye out for you if anything goes wrong.
![Party with Friends](https://buyinsulin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/istockphoto-892726482-612x612-1.jpeg)
By: Miranda Montgomery (Type 1 diabetic for 20+ years) Admin for Type 1 Diabetes Support Group on Facebook with 14 K members.