By Janis Roszler, MSFT, RD, CDE, LD/N

Q I’d like to give a holiday gift to my friend with diabetes. Any ideas?

A Here are a few items that make great gifts:

• Diabetes-friendly cook books.
• A diabetes identification bracelet.
• An exercise video or gift certificate to a yoga class.
• Workout-related items, including a gym bag, towel and water bottle.

You can always make a donation to a diabetes organization. Here are a few:

• American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org)
• Joslin Diabetes Center (www.joslin.org)
• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (www.jdrf.org)

Q I’d like to donate blood. Does having diabetes disqualify me from doing this?

A Having diabetes should not prevent you from giving blood, as long as you feel well at the time that you donate. However, if you used any bovine-derived insulin produced by Novo Nordisk in the early 1980’s, you may not be eligible to give. The concern is that the beef content of this insulin may have introduced certain elements into your blood that make it inappropriate to share. Please discuss your eligibility with your local American Red Cross office or local blood donation center. Giving blood truly saves lives. I plan to do it this month and hope all of you will too!

Q How much should I weigh?

A Here is an easy way to estimate your desired body weight:

For women:
Measure your height.

• For the first 5 feet, give yourself 100 pounds.
• For each inch over 5 feet, add an additional 5 pounds.
• If you have large wrists, which indicate a large frame, add an additional 10%.
• If your wrists are slender, which indicate a small frame, subtract 10%.
• For a medium frame, add nothing to your total.

Example: Joan is 5 feet 4 inches. She adds 100 pounds plus 20 pounds, which equals 120 pounds. She has a large frame and adds 10% (12 pounds). Her desired weight is 132 pounds.

For men:

• Measure your height.
• For the first 5 feet, give yourself 106 pounds.
• For each inch over 5 feet, add 6 pounds.
• If you have a large frame, add an additional 10%.
• If you have a small frame, subtract 10%.
• For a medium frame, add nothing.

Example: Marc is 5 feet 10 inches. He adds 106 pounds plus 60 pounds. He is medium framed and should weight about 166 pounds.

Remember, the weight that you calculate is just an estimate. Your personal need may be different. Review your answer with your health care team.

*This article originally appeared in 2007
**please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diabetes regimen.