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We often see people suffering from Diabetes sitting and adoring delicious sweets during holidays, but forcing them to keep their hands of all the food that others are relishing right in front of them. Do diabetes sufferers have to sacrifice so much especially during the festivities?
The answer is maybe. As a person who suffers from insulin resistance and high levels of glucose in their blood, the idea is to find a balance between healthy eating and enjoying their favorite treats made more healthily.
Planning your schedule and meal plan ahead of the holiday season can make the work easier for you. Find your recipes on the internet that can satisfy your taste buds and yet keep your diabetes under check. Below you’ll find some tips from Diabetes 365.
How to work around with the diet as diabetics during holidays?
1. Count your carbohydrate intake:
- Focus on carbohydrates with a lower glycemic index that includes whole foods like wheat and oats.
- Fill your plate with protein and vegetables before adding the starchy treats to your plate.
- Stay away from white rice, corn, potatoes, and white bread.
2. Don’t mess with your routine:
- Never skip your breakfast.
- As a diabetic, you are more prone to the risk of hypoglycemia than anyone else.
- Therefore, keep your routine as it is even if you are preparing for the big Thanksgiving dinner.
3. Keep a check on your blood sugar as a routine:
- Make blood sugar monitoring a routine.
- Check your levels daily using a home monitor especially when you are indulging in treats during the festivities.
4. Plan and prep:
- Planning and working on meal prep can make life much easier for you.
- Ditch the packaged products and cut and store some vegetables that you can grab when you feel the need to snack on something.
5. Prolonged periods of starvation are not for you:
- As your body is not sensitive to insulin, any periods of starvation or even missing a single meal can cause a harmful reduction in blood glucose levels.
- Severe hypoglycemia can cause fainting and can even lead to organ failure if not addressed in time.
- You don’t have to eat a full meal before the big dinner, even a bowl of salad will keep your blood sugar in control.
6. Include physical activity in your routine:
- If you are not a person who loves to work out routinely, adding something sort of physical activity can change the diabetes game.
- Even a 30-minute walking schedule every day can do wonders for your diabetes management regimen.
7. Avoid sugary drinks:
- Stay away from sodas. Even diet sodas can do a lot of harm if you suffer from diabetes.
- Alcohol must be strictly avoided too.
- Stick to either plain water or water flavored with natural ingredients like lemon or berries. These will keep you hydrated.
Make fruits your sweet friends, as fruits are rich in fiber, they do not elevate your blood sugar levels to a great extent. Grab a handful of berries that will not just satisfy your sweet tooth but will also give you hydration and a boost of antioxidants. It is all about balance and you don’t have to punish yourself for having diabetes. Enjoy the holiday season!
