Living Well with Diabetes Newsletter | November 2024

Preparing for the Holiday Season with Diabetes!

By: Jessica Hrdlicka MS, RD, LD/N, CDCES

Navigating the holidays with diabetes can be tricky. Holidays are full of sweets, rich meals, gravy & cocktails, but you don’t have to give up all your holiday foods this year just to have better blood sugars.

Here are a few tips to enjoy your holiday without raising your A1c!

1. Your mind is very powerful and you can use it to help you stay in the present. Mindfulness helps pay attention to what is going on right in the moment. It means making every moment count by being functional and not being a couch potato. It means deciding to take care of yourself by eating healthfully … choosing fewer carbs over the holiday season, and eating more vegetables. Making changes in those Holiday Food Rituals can make a big difference.

2. Doing some kind of physical activity such as walking in a pool, walking in your home during TV commercials, walking with a buddy outdoors in our beautiful Florida weather, or by doing whatever gets you moving keeps the body functioning better. What is in motion, stays in motion. And don’t forget to stay hydrated!

3. Focus on protein & fiber first! Starting your holiday meal with protein or vegetable rich appetizers such as salad, shrimp cocktail, crudité or a cheese platter can help slow down blood sugar rises before the big feast. Even starting your dinner with lean protein like turkey can help ensure better blood sugars the rest of the evening.

4. Remember to connect with friends and family. We need other people in our lives for support, fun, connectedness, smiles and hugs. Volunteer to help someone less fortunate than you. Volunteering helps you feel very good about yourself.
    

Please remember it is the season for giving thanks. It is time to say thank you and to allow yourself to feel grateful for all the good things in your life.

For more information on diabetes management, chronic kidney disease weight loss and nutrition, call 561-659-6336 ext 8012 to schedule an appointment with a certified diabetes care education specialist, registered dietitian or class today. Please enjoy our November 2024 Living Well with Diabetes Newsletter!

Intersections

By: Geetanjali, Kale, M.D

Yesterday, the wife of one of my favorite patients reached out me. Letting me know my patient Mr. T passed away last night. It’s the phone call we physicians dread the most.

Afterall we are in the business of helping people extend their lives and better their lives.

I gave my deep condolences to the wife. But, at night couldn’t help but shrug the feeling off.

I am in with Palm Beach Diabetes for nearly ten years now as an Endocrinologist. I remembered many such phone calls I have received over the years. I remembered all those faces vividly, when they were so full of life, in my office, smiling, laughing, cracking jokes at their unfortunate medical outcomes, facing adversity with grit, determination and poise. Don’t get me wrong, there is no shortage of disappointment, despair, hopelessness, anger frustration as patients go through difficult diagnoses and even more challenging treatments. But when they are in front of me, I can offer medical advice, hope, a comforting touch, a listening ear. But a final and definite nature of a phone call like this is …it feels different.

We physicians do what we do, because we really started out with intentions of making that difference. We commit to a lifelong career of learning, long hours, time away from family, student loans, hard work because, this relationship one gets to have with their patients.

Mr. T could have chosen to go to any other endocrinologist. He chose to place his trust in me. He trusted that the medical advice I gave him, would not only help him prolong his life, but make it more meaningful. At the end of this ten-year long relationship, I have faith that my every interaction with him I really gave my best shot. I did the best I could to achieve this mutual goal. We physicians have little control over many factors that govern our patients lives but we have control over what we can do to help patients to the best of our ability, when they are in front of us…for that day, for that moment, on that phone call. I am so grateful for all my patients including Mr. T, who have chosen to place their trust in me. I am forever striving to keep up my end of the promise to take care of them to best of my abilities.

Today, I will sleep with a smile on face, because I know Mr. T will agree with this sentiment. He is peaceful and I am comforted by the fact, where our lives’ paths of intersected, , it has been joyous and fulfilling to have met each other.

Healthy Meal Planning Class & Pre-Diabetes Sessions are available! Join our classes to stay motivated & feel great!

Healthy Holiday Meal Planning Class

West Palm Beach Location (Virtual or In Person!)

Temple Israel 1901 N. Flagler Drive

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Tuesday November 12^th 10am-12pm

Pre-Diabetes Class

West Palm Beach Location (Virtual or In Person!)

Temple Israel 1901 N. Flagler Drive

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Tuesday December 10^th 10am-12pm

If interested attending this program please contact our scheduling department at (561) 659-6336 Extension 8001 today!

At Healthy Living with Diabetes we want to ensure that you are satisfied with all services received. We also would like your input on educational workshops that you would like us to offer, information you would like to read about in Healthy Living with Diabetes Monthly or feedback on any workshop that you may have attended. You can contact the director of education personally by email jcook@PBDES.COM or leave a message at (561) 659-6336 ext. 8012. We would love to hear from you!

Check us out on the web!

www.palmbeachdiabetes.com

www.facebook.com/pbdeseducation