Peer Pressure
Friday, April 23, 2010 at 8:02AM Seeing those two words takes me back to grammar school. Being told that surely one day in high school I will be tested by a group of leather clad punk rocker type kids who will offer me some grass, to which I have been instructed to say “Nope to dope and UGH to DRUGS!”
That never did happen to me. Thankfully all of my friends knew I was not into getting into trouble or really even interested in drugs. I thought peer pressure was something I dodged.
Not anymore.
You see I have a friend of mine who also has diabetes. He is a type 2 who takes insulin. Lately every time I see the guy he is offering me snacks. Sugary snacks.
Now you know by the bridge in “All the Diabetics” that I don’t think it’s right to tell PWD’s what they can and cannot eat. That is not right. I eat lots of things some people would say I shouldn’t. That is not the point.
The point is, he offers me peanut M&M’s and when I say, “No thanks” he says, “come on man you can have a few.” Total peer pressure and although I thought it was kind of funny the first time he did it, it is annoying now.
The last time he offered some candy I told him, “Nah man but if I go low you will be my go-to guy.” That defused the situation and will probably be my come back in the future.
Have you ever had another PWD push their sweets onto you? How do you deal with this stuff.
It’s like the opposite of the diabetes police.
Reader Comments (12)
Been there, done that! I usually just tell them that I am trying to watch my figure ;) Hell I just lost 25 pounds this year and not in London and I would like to keep them lost.
I had this happen when I went to Diabetes Camp for kids. I grew up diabetic with no sweets really to speak of. There would be the occasional hershey's kiss, but even to get that was a challenge. These kids were walking around talking about bolusing for full or king sized candy bars. I was totally freaking out! They tried to get me to eat one, but I was so freaking scared to eat one that I backed out. It was like they were tempting me with a cigarette, alcohol, or something! It was especially hard when the cute guy of the crowd was the one pushing.
But, that was 10 years ago. Yes, I've eaten candy bars since, but I still limit them to very special occasions. D-Peer Pressure is not fun at all. We just have to stand our ground. Now-a-days I just tell them "no, thank you". Most people know I'm on weight-watchers now anyway, so it's not that hard. They think I'm doing it because I'm on a diet. The thing they don't realize is that I am on a diet - a lifelong diet thanks to the D.
Interesting. I've never faced that with other diabetics, but to be honest can't say I've hung out in day-to-day situations with other diabetics. That has happened with family/coworkers/friends, to which I've kindly declined without any problem. I supposed in that situation I'd probably do the same and try to just defuse it with humor or a shrug, or something. If it always continues nonstop, MAYBE I'd eventually get to the point where I'd raise it and say: "Look, man, I know you just want to share that sugary goodness with me, and I don't care whether you eat it or not yourself, but really I'm not going to ever be in a position unless I'm Low to just munch on them. You know I have to count carbs and account for all of that. It's just not what I want."
Anyhow, no firsthand experience like I said... Good luck with it, though!
Great comeback G!
I did have a PWD ( a family member) blow up at a holiday dinner when I brought a veggie platter and dip. She freaked when she saw the raw baby carrots and told me that I'd be better off to eat spoon feed myself sugar.
She said this as she was shoveling fists full of M & M's in her mouth and rage bolusing like a mad woman.
I didn't want to engage and told her that if she wanted to dip the M &M's in the dip I'd made, it was fine with me as long as she didn't leave any M&Ms in the dip, as that would be just plain rude.
Kelly K
I don't push. But I don't not partake either. So I almost think it's 50/50. I pretty much have never had a d person pushing sweets on me. I think that most of us live by the "I'll take care of me and you take care of you" rule. If I choose to eat ice cream and someone else doesn't, that's cool with me. :)
I love Kelly's remark though....don't leave M&M's in the dip.... LOL :)
I can't think of any time I've been in that kind of situation, but like Michael, I haven't had many opportunities to hang out with diabetics except on special occasions (like trips to San Diego!), and those are cool diabetics who aren't all like, "C'mon man, I know you want to..."
As for your type 2 friend, if you find that the "I'll let you know if I'm low" comment doesn't make him lay off, I might say something like, "I know that I can eat that stuff, but just because I have the opportunity, doesn't mean I want to or should, so while I appreciate your offers to share, please understand that it would be better for me of you didn't offer." Or something like that. I know, easier for me to type here than to say in the moment, but some people really need it spelled out for them pretty explicitly. Hopefully, your more subtle response will make him stop though.
Maybe I'm lucky, because I have never really been into sweets; I seldom want or crave cookies or other sweets (I do, however, have a salt-tooth; anything salty, and I usually can't resist ... luckily I don't have hypertension issues, but too much salt is no better for for anyone's health than too many sweets). But the whole idea of pressuring someone is weird because it's pretty easy to say "nah, I'm really not hungry right now". As for the peer pressure thing, from my way of thinking, I would say that's really no different than people comparing how "great" their HbA1c's are; there are many factors that influence these things, so I think comparing is like comparing apples to oranges; it really can't be done except on the most superficial level.
I have never been pressured by a diabetic but maybe because most of the diabetics I know I met online. But I do know exactly what you are talking about with the pressure to eat something you know you shouldn't. I just spent several days with my extended family and I felt like a peer pressure loser the whole time. I have never eaten out that often with my family ever before. The hardest part about it was the fact that I love to eat out. I feel they took me out so much because I love it and it was fun. But my blood sugars paid the price. I wanted nothing more than to go home where I felt like I had control of the food I eat. The carb fest finally ended and I'm back on track now. Thank heavens! Good luck with your T2 friend. I think you have said all you need to say. Maybe a reminder or two will be all that's needed.
Well, considering my grouping of Diabetic friends is virtually 100% online, I am lucky to not have run into this situation. I do find it kind of ironic though, a fellow diabetic pushin the sweets on you. Its' kind of like telling someone who is allergic to peanuts to just have a few, it won't kill you.
Hopefully he got the point and will ease up now
You know, I don't think I've ever had that happen to me... I agree though - that was a great comeback and hopefully he won't be pestering you as much.
That situation hasn't happened to me yet. Unless I have been the pusher and haven't realized it :)
I will say I am pretty comfortable with my eating habits, but I still get insecure when another diabetic walks by because I think they might be judging me. What's up with that?!?!
unfortunately it happens way too much with no PWDs...and even when people know why I don't accept they still do it. I'm not if its because they forget or what. I have to say though, having never really met another diabetic until recently, they've never offered me their sweets :)