Ask The Expert
Eating Well

Your concerns are valid, and it is important that you are able to have your meals on a regular schedule. Have you met with a dietitian and diabetes educator? They should be able to assist you, as well as your doctor could write a letter, if necessary.

It is important to be clear about what you need for proper diabetes management at work, and then to communicate it to your supervisor. The resources listed at the bottom can help you sort this out.

Regarding breakfast--it may be a matter of getting up a little earlier to eat your breakfast before leaving for work. Generally, your diabetes educator and dietitian can help you develop a plan that works for you--i.e. they can provide you with a list of foods that could be easily prepared ahead of time so that you wouldn't have to resort to junk food. If your company has a microwave (and a refrigerator) perhaps you could bring already prepared healthy frozen meals that you can fix in just a few minutes.

So there are two issues:

• Meal Planning: You need to get some help so you know what types of food you can prepare and take with you, if necessary, as well as to develop a reasonable meal plan and schedule.
• You should be able to have lunch breaks: The American Diabetes Association’s website, listed below, provides information on employment discrimination and explains the issue of providing reasonable accommodation to people with diabetes.