6 tips for a July 4th celebration

fireworks

July 4th is a great time to celebrate our nation's independence with friends and family, outdoor activities and (of course) food. As Americans, this is a holiday where we traditionally love to go big. If you have diabetes, a little restraint and planning might be in order, but there's no reason you can't go big on fun. Here are a few tips from our clinical team to help keep you on track.

1. Call Ahead

Before going to a July 4th barbecue, do your homework. Check with the host to find out what goodies will be served and if they'll be catered. If so, visit the restaurant's website for nutrition information (more and more restaurants are making this information available).

If it's a potluck, you're in luck. Check out Diabetes Daily or some other friends in the DOC for some mouthwatering recipes you can prepare and bring to the party. You'll be sure to have at least one dish with a carb count you know.

2. Test, Test, Test

On the day of the party, test your BG before the festivities begin and frequently throughout the day. Whether you've had well defined meals or it has been a day of "grazing," make sure to test about two hours after eating. Also remember to test frequently if you're playing volleyball in the back yard, jumping in the pool with the kids or any other activity.

3. Carb Count

Don't forget to count carbs as best you can and follow your healthcare provider's instructions about how much insulin to take to match those carbs. (This is where it's helpful to have researched ahead of time.)

Look to online resources for lists of popular foods/ingredients and their carb counts or mobile apps like Carb Counting with Lenny that help you learn carb counting skills.

4. Talk to Your Doctor About Pump Settings

If your crowd likes to grill up some high-fat meats or if you tend to snack all day long on July 4th, you might want to talk to your doctor about variable boluses

[http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/help/lifestyle/nutrition/index.html#hi…] The dual wave bolus gives part of the bolus right away and the other part over time while the square wave bolus delivers insulin in a way that more closely matches the carbohydrate digestion of prolonged meals. Talk with your healthcare provider before the big holiday to see if one of these might make sense for you.

5. Take Care of Your Pump

If you're one of the millions of people who head to the beach or the lake for the weekend, revisit Naomi's post on how to prevent moisture damage.

6. Be Careful With the Alcohol

If you're of legal age and want to enjoy an alcoholic beverage, remember that drinking can affect your blood sugar. Be sure to know your limit and check out Dr. Kaufman's tips on drinking alcohol.

At the end of the day as you sit back and watch the fireworks, if you've had a good day within target BG numbers, congratulations and job well done! If not, don't beat yourself up. Think back on the thing that may have affected your diabetes, what you did to react to that, and what adjustments could have been made. Finally, take a mental note and store it for the next time an event like this comes along.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

- Medtronic Diabetes insulin infusion pumps, continuous glucose monitoring systems and associated components are limited to sale by or on the order of a physician and should only be used under the direction of a healthcare professional familiar with the risks associated with the use of these systems. - Successful operation of the insulin infusion pumps and/or continuous glucose monitoring systems requires adequate vision and hearing to recognize alerts and alarms.

Medtronic Diabetes Insulin Infusion Pumps

- Insulin pump therapy is not recommended for individuals who are unable or unwilling to perform a minimum of four blood glucose tests per day. - Insulin pumps use rapid-acting insulin. If your insulin delivery is interrupted for any reason, you must be prepared to replace the missed insulin immediately.

Medtronic Diabetes Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Systems

- The information provided by CGM systems is intended to supplement, not replace, blood glucose information obtained using a home glucose meter. A confirmatory fingerstick is required prior to treatment. - Insertion of a glucose sensor may cause bleeding or irritation at the insertion site. Consult a physician immediately if you experience significant pain or if you suspect that the site is infected.

Please visit MedtronicDiabetes.com/isi for complete safety information.


 

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Submitted by Cindy (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

GREAT article, Kerrie!!! It covers everything, EVERYTHING!!! =)

Submitted by Karrie Hawbaker (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

Glad you found these tips helpful, Cindy! We’d love to hear any additional tips you may have. Enjoy your Fourth of July weekend!


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