Socialising

Socialising and diabetes

If you thought having diabetes meant saying goodbye to having fun and socialising, think again. Just follow some simple tips to stay in control while enjoying yourself.

Your social life doesn’t have to grind to a halt because of diabetes. You can have fun, go out to restaurants or parties like everyone else. Just bear in mind that going to parties usually means a break from your daily routines. You may eat different food and do different levels of physical activity. This may affect your blood sugar.

So what can you do to stay in control of your blood sugar when going out to a party?

Before a party

• Test your blood sugar before you leave for the party
• Eat an extra snack if your blood sugar is normal or low, and if you’re eating later than your usual time
• Don’t take your insulin too early unless your blood sugar is very high. You can’t predict exactly when food will be served. If the food is delayed and particularly if you have drinks beforehand, you could easily get hypoglycaemia.
  

Before the meal

You may be offered drinks before the meal is served. The meal might be late. So make sure you eat snacks while drinking, to avoid low blood sugar.  Keep in mind that some alcohols can contain sugar as well.

You may need slightly more insulin, if you expect a large meal or a sweet dessert.

On the other hand, if you are going to drink and dance, you may need a little less insulin.

It may be best to take your usual dose of insulin and adjust your treatment the following day.

Eating, drinking and dancing

You may be seated for hours, during several courses. This will make your blood sugar rise.

But you may be drinking more than usual. Alcohol lowers your blood sugar and masks the signs of hypoglycaemia.

If there is dancing, remember that it’s a great form of exercise and, like other exercise, it lowers your blood sugar.

After the party

Test your blood sugar before going to bed. Take your bedtime insulin but adjust the dose if necessary. If your blood sugar is a little low, eat an extra large snack to avoid hypoglycaemia during the night. This is particularly important if you have been drinking and dancing.

The following day

Your blood sugar may be a little out of control, the day after a party. So it’s a good idea to test your blood sugar more often than usual. Adjust your insulin dose and diet according to your blood sugar readings.

Sleeping all morning, while sometimes very appealing on the morning after, may lead to hypoglycaemia. Set your alarm clock and eat an extra snack to avoid delayed hypoglycaemia.

Socialising and diabetes: A summary

• Your party days are far from over when you have diabetes
• Parties involve a different routine from your usual one so take steps to keep your blood sugar under control
• Think about the effect of food, alcohol and dancing on your blood sugar and adjust your insulin accordingly
• Test your blood sugar before and after the party
• Try not to change your sleep pattern too much the day after to help prevent hypoglycaemia
• Relax and have fun!

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  INS/014/0809

Last updated: August 2009