Celebrating the Holidays with Diabetes: Maximizing Enjoyment, Minimizing Stress ...

Diabetes Menu Planning for the Holidays

Holidays can be challenging if you're dealing with diabetes. With a little preparation and some diabetes education and awareness, you can face the holidays with joy.

The most important thing about managing diabetes during any holiday season is to plan ahead. The more you know about what's going to happen, the better you can plan for good diabetes management.

Diabetic Meals for Holiday Schedules

What does your schedule look like for the holiday season? Are you going out of town? Having visitors stay with you? Do your plans include a lot of parties and food-oriented events? Or are your holidays more active, with events such as the annual family Thanksgiving football game?

Once you know what your days will consist of, examine your menus. Do you have traditional dishes that you make every year? There's no need to completely rework your menu but you may find ways to make your traditional holiday foods a bit healthier. Will that casserole taste just as good with fat-free or light sour cream instead of regular? Can you steam the green beans this year instead of sautéing in butter?

There are plenty of ways to lower fat, sugar, and carbohydrate counts in your favorite foods while still keeping the taste and texture you love. If your family looks forward fudge every year -- go ahead and make it, but first talk to your diabetes team or dietitian about ways to work a piece or two into the meal plan. It may mean eating less of other treats, getting more exercise, increasing insulin doses, or a combination of all three. But you can do it.

If You Overdo it During Holidays... Put on your walking shoes. Being more active will help lower your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. Physical activity uses up extra sugar in your blood and helps your insulin work better. And it's a wonderful holiday activity everyone can enjoy together after a meal.


Source: http://www.diabetesamerica.com/nutrition-diabetes-holidays.cfm

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your community pharmacist or physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.