What not to say to a diabetic this Diwali

 

​

No Indian festival is complete without mithaai. Sweets are an expression of joy, especially during Diwali. However, the same sweets can become a nightmare for those with diabetes.

India is hailed as the diabetes capital of the world, and the prevalence of the condition has surged over the past three decades. Yet, India’s obsession with sweets is such that even if you tell people you are diabetic, they will insist you have “just one piece”.

For Abhinav Gulati, a 43-year-old sales head in Delhi, Diwali is a test of patience, grit, and relationships. “It usually takes a lot of self-control to avoid sweets, but during Diwali, it becomes almost impossible to make people understand that I just can’t oblige everyone’s requests for a piece. It’s so frustrating that I now avoid social gatherings during this time of year,” he says.

Furthermore, it’s not just one person they’re saying no to. Imagine being urged to “just try one” or “have a small piece” by ten different people in a day; it can get overwhelming. And for those who give in, whether out of social pressure or the struggle to control cravings, the price they pay is their health.

“Diwali brings joy and togetherness, but for people managing diabetes, that one piece of mithai can upset things more than most realise. Traditional sweets are usually heavy on sugar, ghee, and milk, which makes blood sugar levels rise very fast. Within a short time, this can leave a person feeling tired, thirsty, or even slightly light-headed,” says Dr Prudwiraj Sanamandra, endocrinologist and diabetologist, Arete Hospitals.

These sugar spikes are not harmless. “They make people feel tired, dizzy, or irritable, and in the long run they put extra strain on the kidneys, eyes, and nerves. For those already on tablets or insulin, one evening of excess can disturb sugar control for several days,” adds Dr Siri M Kamath, consultant in internal medicine, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Bengaluru.

‘Sugar-free sweets’ don’t help either.

“If I tell them I can’t eat sugar, they’ll say, ‘Okay, skip the laddu, but at least have this sugar-free mithai.’ But that so-called sugar-free sweet usually has dates or jaggery. It might be healthier, but it’s not sugar-free,” says Amit Saha, a Noida resident.

Your intention to offer sweets to your friends may not be to cause harm; after all, we equate joy with sweets. But insisting that a person with diabetes have “just one piece” can still negatively impact their health. Pressuring them to indulge, even when you know the risks, is not well intentioned.

When a diabetic refuses your mithai offer, it is not rude; it is survival. It takes a lot of willpower to say no. Moreover, many diabetics already miss indulging in sweets. Your persuasive lines such as “just one won’t hurt”, “but it’s homemade”, or “you used to love this” don’t help a diabetic at all.

Learning to respect someone’s “no” is an expression of love too.

There are many other ways to share festive cheer that go beyond sweets. You can serve roasted nuts or fruit on your Diwali platters as a diabetic-friendly move. Include healthy snacks like dhokla or sprouts on the menu, and drinks such as buttermilk or coconut water instead of sugary beverages.

It’s an easy way to show you care while looking out for everyone’s health. Festivals are about being together and sharing joy, not about pressuring anyone to eat something that might harm them.

While your diabetic friends can definitely relish a small portion of Diwali mithai, if they say no to you, remember it comes from a place of health concern.

– Ends