Frances Harris Frances Harris

The Sweet Holiday Switch Up

Diabetes Awareness for Kids

The Sweet Holiday Switch-Up :

It was the first day of Christmas break, and the Johnson kids—Marcus (9th grade), Tiana (7th), and little Jamal (4th)—were buzzing with excitement as they rolled their suitcases into Grandma and Grandpa’s cozy house. The smell of pine needles, cinnamon, and fireplace wood filled the air.

But something was off.

“Where are the cookies?” Jamal asked, peeking into the kitchen.
Grandma smiled from behind the counter, wearing her red apron. “Oh, baby, we’re doing something different this Christmas. No cookies, pies, or fudge this year.”

“What?” Tiana gasped. “Grandma, your sweet potato pie is legendary!”
Marcus frowned. “Is this because of Grandpa’s diabetes?”

Grandma nodded. “Yep. The doctor said we all need to help him manage it better. So instead of sugar, we’re doing fruit snacks and healthier treats. I even got some fun recipes for us to make together!”

The kids traded disappointed looks. Fruit snacks instead of pie? Not exactly Christmas magic.

But Grandpa winked from his recliner. “Don’t worry, I might have a little secret stash.”

Over the next few days, Grandma put them to work making apple nachos (apple slices with peanut butter and granola), frozen yogurt berry pops, and banana “ice cream.” At first, Jamal complained that the blender was too loud, and Tiana rolled her eyes every time Grandma said “natural sugar.”

But when they tried the finished treats, something surprising happened—
“These are actually good,” Marcus admitted, biting into a yogurt pop.
“Like… really good,” Tiana added.
Even Jamal licked his fingers. “It’s sweet! But not the hurt-your-teeth kind.”

Still, Grandpa kept his promise. Late one night, he called them into the den and passed around a plate of fudge.
“Don’t tell Grandma,” he whispered.
They giggled and shared pieces, feeling like secret agents.

The next morning, Grandma served a breakfast of oatmeal with cinnamon and fruit.
“I know you kids miss the sweets,” she said gently. “But I want you to see that eating healthy isn’t about taking joy away—it’s about finding new kinds of joy.”

Marcus nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah… and it keeps Grandpa’s sugar from going up.”
Grandpa raised his coffee cup. “Exactly. Balance, that’s the key.”

By Christmas morning, the kitchen table was full—not with cookies and pies, but with bright fruit kabobs, smoothie bowls, and little cups of dark chocolate almonds. The kids laughed as they decorated each snack with sprinkles of coconut and cinnamon.

When they finally sat down to eat, Jamal grinned. “Grandma, I think your fruit snacks are the new dessert tradition.”

Grandma winked. “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve heard all season.”

And even Grandpa had to agree—this was one Christmas that was just right.

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