We collect 10 recommendations on how to control diabetes at this time of the medical team: Dr. Luis Masmiquel Comas and María Puga.Endocrine / Expert Educator in Diabetes and Nutrition Endocrinology, Nutrition and Obesity Service of the Quironsalud Palmaplanas Hospital.

1- What are the obstacles to patients with diabetes at Christmas?

They are presented with the same problems as the general population: excess foods with high caloric density, meals and copious and long -lasting dinners, which prevent them from being aware of the amount of food they ingest.It is important to enjoy these parties, also being responsible for what we eat.

2- What "gold rules" should follow to maintain glucose and insulin levels in place?

A healthy, balanced, sufficient, varied and pleasant eating.Patients with insulin treatment should be performed the necessary controls depending on the prescribed insulin guideline and adjust the doses depending on the preprandial levels of glucose and the carbohydrate units that they will ingest and that, of course, must have learned toAccount.Therefore, at Christmas and always, a good diabetological education is fundamental.

3- What foods are conflicting?

Especially the amount taken from the Farinaceous group and within them to avoid frequently taking a percentage of more than 7% sugars, especially those rapid absorption;Also take into account saturated fats.Reading the composition of food on labels is fundamental.Also as we point out before, learn to count carbohydrates.There are mobile applications and websites where to obtain this information.We recommend, to prepare these parties, a visit with the Diabetes educator and the dietitian of our service, who are great diabetes experts.

4- Sometimes, more than food, what customs should be avoided?

What should not be done is "forget the recommendations to follow in the day to day."That is, we should not lower our guard as regards the control of blood glucose, exercise and healthy life customs.We must take into account that the Christmas holidays are three or four days.Sometimes we think that Christmas lasts from the Immaculate bridge to the after kings and abused a little every day ...

5- According to the degree of diabetes, a type 1 is not the same as 2, and it is not the same to control it only with oral drugs than with insulin.What warnings do?

For the two types you have to try to maintain healthy customs of a little moderate exercise daily and select the food well.Of course, the patient of type 1 will be receiving treatment with multiple doses of insulin.Therefore, you should pay special attention to glucose levels before meals, and hit the insulin dose depending on them and the amount of food carbohydrates.Also of individual insulin sensitivity, which can be initially calculated and end up knowing better with practice.Therefore, as I say, diabetological education and basic knowledge in dietary are fundamental.

6- The normal population compensates for bingers with "detox" moments.What is recommended to a diabetic?

We should be aware of what we eat, since we are what we eat.Our fuel is food and we cannot fill the deposit of our "car" in excess and then pretend to make the rest of the trip without fuel.It always helps us to perform physical activity, so we could, after a Christmas meal or dinner, take a walk with the family and enjoy the outdoors.

7- What can a patient do to compensate for excesses?

Just as we program the Christmas menus, withWho will enjoy these parties, we can also "schedule" our "Christmas" walks or excursions.Surely we will enjoy the whole family of these activities.

8- To what extent are "added sugars" products useful?

Patients associate "low" or "sugars added" to "free consumption" and nothing is further from reality.The nougat and sweets are occasional consumption foods.They have a high caloric density.We must be aware of the volume or quantity that is taken, in "each shot", as well as the percentage of saturated fat they contain.

9- What myths are in food in this population on these dates?

That many foods are prohibited.The new ultra -granted absorption insulins allow a more flexible diet as long as it has been learned to use them correctly.Perform a balanced diet, quantity, frequency of the products we take and be aware in these parties when occasionally or promptly we exceed us.

10- How do you have to monitor alcohol intake?

They are the same recommendations as for the general population."The good brief, twice good."Be aware of quantity and quality.It is not the food or drink that harms us ... is the quantity, volume and frequency that can harm or benefit us.It all depends on what we choose.It is important to highlight that, contrary to what is sometimes thought, the intake of a large amount of alcohol puts the person at a higher risk of a large low of glucose, that is, severe hypoglycemia.Therefore, "moderation" and "responsible" consumption are key messages.