At least twelve studies to date have looked at the G.L factor in the diet in relation to long-term diabetes control. Some of these studies have been five weeks long, others, including ours, up to three months. All but one showed a clear benefit in improving blood sugar levels. People with high blood lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides) showed improvements in this area as well.

The insulin response is important and the G.L factor does not tell us anything about this. Is there a correlation?

In general, studies have found an excellent correlation between the G.L factor of a food and its insulin response. Sometimes the insulin response is higher or lower than expected. The presence of more protein will increase the insulin response proportionately. A large amount of fat may reduce the glycaemic response but not the insulin response. But we should be avoiding large amounts of fat.

Why do different groups around the world come up with different values for the same food?

For the most part, we see very reproducible G.L factors for the same foods from standardised tests around the world. Apples and oranges, for example, have been tested a great deal and give similar G.L factors.

Packaged foods like cornflakes also give very consistent values.

Rice is one food which is very variable because its amylose content varies from variety to variety. Oats and porridge vary, too. To date we are not sure of the reasons for this. Potatoes vary with the variety and method of cooking. New or cocktail potatoes have lower G.L values.

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This is not too difficult if you make it clear that you do not want chocolates or sweets before they have been bought. Many girls get round this by saying they are on a diet, implying that they are concerned about their figure. This is a truthful way of handling the situation without actually revealing that you have diabetes. Otherwise just have one or two and let him eat most of them!

What do you do if you find out that some children at school are spreading the story that you have diabetes and making out that you are odd or different in some way?

If the story is out that you have diabetes and other children are stupid about it, then you can do one of two things.

First, you can pay no attention. Particularly if you do not act upset by the stories, you will find that people will soon get tired of the affair. They will find out they were wrong and that diabetes has not made any difference to you and you are not odd. Of course, if you show them you are upset, some children may go on teasing you just to provoke you.

On the other hand, you may want to clear the matter up quickly. In this case you should get some of your real friends on your side and explain to them the true facts of diabetes. Discuss what diabetes really is and let them know that you are not sick or different and that it is not really a disease. Tell them that diabetes is in fact a very common disorder in the community and that anybody could get it.

When you have some friends on your side in this way the comments of others will not seem important and will not continue long. Your friends will then stick up for you if other children try to tease you. Having explained what diabetes is, you can then shrug off the whole affair, as not very important. Now we know about it, forget it.

How many children are there with diabetes in the community?

About 1 child in every 1000 children under the age of 15 has got diabetes. This does not sound very many, and of course diabetes is not common amongst children, but obviously there are hundreds of children with diabetes in the state where you live. Children grow up into adults, so that between 5% and 10% of all people with diabetes have developed their diabetes when they were growing. Between 2% and 4% of the whole community have diabetes.

I want to do an early morning paper round. Can I?

Diabetes should not stop you, and many boys and girls with diabetes do paper rounds. The important thing is to avoid hypos while on the round before breakfast. I suggest you have one or two carbohydrate exchanges when you get up, carry sugar with you, and then have your insulin and breakfast at the usual time when you get home.

When you first start to do the round it would be a good idea to do blood glucose tests before and after the round to check that the system is working out. If it is a long, hilly paper round you may need more than just two exchanges.

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