Dealing With Diabetes During the Holidays –Team with Dieticians

For people with diabetes, Thanksgiving is the beginning of a difficult season that frustrates and disappoints them. They are constantly reminded of all the activities they will be attending and aware that, in someway or another they will all involve food and drink. You cannot even watch the football game without  “low  carb” (yeah right) beer ads being forced down your throat. Television and internet ads will show all the tempting things and everyone you love or know will use the line, “you can eat and drink it,  after all its Happy Holiday Time!”

One of the ways of dealing with these frustrations, and where you as the pharmacist can set yourself apart from the competition, is by assisting your patient in actively planning what to eat during holidays and in teaching them how to make the best choices when temptations abound.

Use positive reinforcement “Doc” instead of telling people what not to eat offer appropriate selections to allow them to feel more a part of the festivities. Prepare a ‘Surviving the Holidays Food Tip Sheet.” for your patients. Mine your Rx data base to identify persons with diabetes and mail or stuff the tip in every prescription bag dispensed during the holidays.

For example, candied sweet potatoes are such a temptation for many consider an altered recipe that uses  fresh yams, artificial sweeteners and much less Marshmallows.

I know, I know….you are a pharmacist NOT a food channel chef, but I bet your know dieticians in your community willing to share holiday food tips for referrals of patients that may be tempted to go “off the wagon.”

Your “wavering” patients may be eligible to enroll in a community Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) furnished by certified providers such as dieticians.

Section 4105 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 permits Medicare coverage for DSMT.

Use the Holidays to team with allied health professionals to demonstrate your value to persons with diabetes AND distinguish yourself from the competition!