Holidays can be a time of great joy, but the season can also be busy as we alter our daily routines for additional activities. Often, food is the focus of holiday gatherings, which can be stressful for people living with diabetes.
Here are 10 simple tips for how enjoying the holidays without sacrificing your diabetes health goals:
Here are 10 simple tips for how enjoying the holidays without sacrificing your diabetes health goals:
- Make your holiday gatherings about enjoying the company of family and friends, instead of focusing on food.
- Consider eating a healthy snack before the event so you do not arrive hungry.
- Mingle with others far from the food at the buffet.
- Offer to bring dessert and make a recipe that is lower in carbohydrates.
- Share a dessert with someone making your serving a bite or two, savor the flavor.
- Reduce your intake of high-carb foods such as potatoes and stuffing, but increase servings of low-carb vegetables like green beans or asparagus.
- If consuming alcohol, ask for mixed drinks with sugar-free or diet mixers.
- Take a walk after a large meal, invite others to join you.
- Continue to check your glucose, it’s easy to skip during these hectic times.
- When traveling, don’t forget your medication. Recognize that most medications are temperature sensitive so you may want to talk with your pharmacist or health care provider about proper storage.