Mr. Divabetic kicked off National Diabetes Awareness month, November, one day early by taking to the streets with fun, interactive diabetes advocacy on Halloween night.

He presented Divabetic’s Wheel of Wellness featuring the Energy Up! Sugar Shock demonstration on NYC’s most iconic Halloween Street.

We demonstrated the SCARY amount of ADDED SUGAR in popular drinks (fruit juice, energy drinks, soda, sports drinks and vitamin waters).

Every sugary beverage featured in our presentation contains 6 teaspoons of added sugar. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends no more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams) of added sugar per day for women and 9 teaspoons (38 grams) for men. Limit daily sugar to 6 teaspoons (25 g) for women, 9 teaspoons (38 g) for men. Yet, the average American consumes 17 teaspoons (71.14 grams) every day.

Initially we were a bit skeptical about our message and participation going over like a lead balloon with the crowds. We’re glad we pushed any doubts and fears aside because last night was one of the most amazing diabetes wellness outreach experiences in our 16 year history. Hundreds of kids and their parents were very appreciative of our message and screamed ‘Wheel of Wellness’ as people took turns spinning the prize wheel.

On top of that, we we’re proud to bring some visibility to an invisible chronic illness. People tell us they feel isolated with diabetes so Mr.. Divabetic’s Fruit Suit emblazoned with the word ‘DIVABETIC’ on the back is a friendly reminder that they are not alone.

Thank you to HINT Water for providing our participants with a great tasting, healthy beverage alternative.

We’re talking about ‘THE SWEETEST TABOO’ aka ‘ADDED SUGAR’ with musical inspiration from Sade on Diabetes Late Nite.

Sugar is everywhere. But do we really understand the impact it has on our diabetes health? 

If asked to name sugary foods, you may think of sweets, chocolate, sodas, table sugar, and perhaps even fruit. But sugar also appears in savoury foods such as ready meals, soups, salads and sauces; as well as ‘healthy’ foods such as breakfast cereals and yogurt. Furthermore, starches such as bread, pasta, rice and potatoes also convert to sugar in our bloodstream, having the same impact on our bodies. These ‘hidden sugars’ can add a surprising amount to our daily intake. 

Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Tameka Milline, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP. Kathy Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’, and Stephanie MacKendree. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from ‘The Essential Sade’ album courtesy of SONY Music. 

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