One of the first things a person with diabetes learns is to avoid foods with lots of sugar. Diabetes affects the body's ability to utilize sugar and, as a result, elevates blood glucose (sugar) levels. Since most candy is very high in sugar, parents or relatives of children with diabetes must devise a more creative way to celebrate Easter other than with the traditional Easter basket filled with sugary treats.

LifeScan, the leading manufacturer of blood glucose meters for people with diabetes, suggests the following Easter tips for parents or relatives of children with diabetes:

• Easter Baskets. Instead of filling baskets with candy, substitute some of the following treats that children enjoy just as much: Easter stickers, small stuffed animals, pocket-sized games, a videotape, coloring books, crayons, an Easter story book, sugar-free lollipops and chewing gum, a children's magazine or comic book.

• Sugarless Treats. Help a child bake and decorate sugarless cookies in Easter shapes to be shared with friends and classmates. This may help him/her not to feel left out, and it will help friends become more aware that there are sugarless foods that taste good.

• Easter Egg Decorating Party. Invite a small group of the child's close friends to decorate and personalize one or two Easter eggs, which he/she could bring home in a small Easter basket filled with some sugar-free candy or other treats.

• Have an Easter Egg Hunt. Fill plastic Easter eggs with small trinkets, such as play jewelry, small toys, coins or sugarless candies. Hide the eggs all through the house or backyard and let the children hunt for as many as they can find on Easter morning.

LifeScan also suggests teaching your children the importance of proper nutrition and self-monitoring of blood glucose levels early on, to help them learn how to best manage their diabetes. At present, there is no cure for diabetes. But with regular self-monitoring of blood glucose levels and a proper combination of diet, exercise and medication, people with diabetes can and do lead active, healthy lives. To learn more about diabetes, LifeScan offers a free 24-hour educational service called Tele-Library, which enables callers to access the latest diabetes information (via tape-recorded messages) in English and Spanish. Call toll-free 1 800 847-SCAN.

Press Release Index

Home | Company | Products | Diabetes Care | OneTouch Gold | Professionals | Feedback | Around the World

The health information on this Web site is for general background purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific conditions. Seek prompt medical attention for health care questions you have. Consult your physician before making changes to your medication, diet, fitness program, or blood glucose testing schedules.

This site is intended for visitors from the United States and published by LifeScan, Inc., which is solely responsible for its contents.
By using this site, you agree to our Legal Notice and Privacy Policy.
© LifeScan, Inc. 1996-. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.