How do you handle unwanted and/or unsolicited advice from people? I know that sometimes these people are well-intentioned but they are often misinformed or miseducated about a topic.

The reason I ask this is because I have a coworker who seems to be questioning a lot of my food choices or giving me advice about food choices. Today at lunch she was warning me about the handful of red grapes I ate for lunch. It was kind of annoying because my lunch as a whole was low carb, grapes are relatively low on the glycemic index (which she had never even heard of), and based on testing my blood glucose, grapes seem to have a minimal impact on my body.

DB1973,

Tell her you are on the South Beach Diet. From what I have seen most women won't argue with that. Or just highlight a couple of sections on GI in a book and leave it so she can read it for herself:D

Not sure of the serving size but the GI for grapes is 62. And cherries seem to be the lowest with a GI of 32

"This responce is well intended with a little humor mixed in"

Wow, DB, you're lucky you can eat grapes...they're the one fruit that sends my blood sugar through the roof, no matter how much insulin I bolus.

As for the unwanted advice and the comments about what you're eating, I would just respond that "I'm working with a registered dietician (or nutritionist) and I'm following the advice he/she has given me. If you'd like more information about a diabetic diet, I'd be happy to educate you, but unless that's your interest, please understand that while I know you mean well, it doesn't feel really great having someone constantly questioning my food choices." That gives your coworker the option of responding that he/she actually IS interested in learning (maybe someone in her family is diabetic?) or apologizing and hopefully butting out in the future.

Of course, if you don't want to bother educating him/her, just leave that part out!


Ruth

Ruth gave very good advice. My mom has been diabetic for over 14 yrs and i just got dx'd as diabetic. She is always telling me what to eat, but her glucose a1c is higher than mine.

I told her i was working with a dietitian and she said so am i and my dietitian knows more. Then i just told her, im new at this and don't want to get confused, i prefer to get my info from a REGISTERED dietitian. End of subjuect.

I can only eat about 10 grapes a sitting b4 my glucose elevate.

Most people do not realize that diabetes is an "individual disease" and what works for one does not necessarily work for another. We all must find what works for us. Some can eat grapes and some cannot.

I have found foods low on the GI scale does not always work for me, some do, others do not. Sooo....I must make choices according to what works for "me".

Perhaps you could let your co-worker know that diabetes is an "individual disease".

Actually grapes are medium to high on the glycemic index. I would mind the quantity you eat. I usually give people a good hard lesson so they'll shut up once and for all.

After the 4th or 5th bout of unwanted advice, I ask them how long they have been diabetic. Usually shuts them up! :)