Enjoy the Holidays While Managing Diabetes
Diabetes management around the holidays can be particularly stressful. especially with so many food temptations. Remember, you have control over your choices; all it takes is planning. Arm yourself with strategies to stay healthy when the holiday season arrives.
Check out the holiday planning tips below….
- Space carbohydrate consumption out throughout the day. Choose which carbohydrates to eat at a given time. For example, do not have a heaping mound of mashed potatoes with cornbread stuffing and a buttered roll. This will send your blood sugar soaring in no time. Instead, have a small portion of the mashed potatoes, turkey breast, and vegetables.
- Plan ahead for a party. Do not go to an event hungry. Eat a small, light meal beforehand to ensure that you do not go too long without eating. Eat every 3-4 hours, even at holiday times. Remember to balance meals and snacks with protein, complex carbohydrates, vegetables, and fruit. Bring a healthful entrée to the event to ensure that some healthful food is there.
- Be smart at buffets. Buffets can spell portion disaster. Take a smaller plate, and fill it up with fresh vegetables, lean protein, and some complex carbohydrates. Don’t go back for seconds.
- Stick to MyPlate. Remember to fill half your plate with fruits and veggies at each meal and choose whole grains over refined white ones.
- Consider your alcohol consumption. Festive atmospheres often include alcohol. Talk with your healthcare provider about how much alcohol you may consume. Insulin and some diabetes medications do not interact well with alcohol.
- Keep up your exercise routine. Physical activity is key to managing blood sugar levels, maintaining weight, and staying on track around the holidays. Whether walking, jogging, biking, swimming, or even dancing –it doesn’t have to be continuous. Plan a time to get your workout in and stick to it, or set aside 10-minute intervals throughout the day. Check with your Physician before beginning any exercise routine.
All Blogs are written by Professionals in the fields of Nutrition, Human Development and Diabetes.