Enjoying the Holidays with Diabetes

The holiday season brings laughter, good cheer and most importantly yummy Christmas goodies. All this makes it hard for anyone to resist the temptation of calorie-loaded food. Thus, being diabetic can be extremely hard during the holidays, especially with all the Christmas sweets and cakes lying around, waiting to be eaten.

Added to that, busy schedules, shopping and cold weather make it hard to work out and eat healthy meals to keep your diabetes under control.

Diabetes and Holidays

With a little planning and care, most diabetics can successfully navigate the holiday season. The most important thing a diabetic should remember is that even though you are on holiday, your diabetes isn't. If you suffer from diabetes, it is important to stick to your exercise, meals and medication schedule even through the holidays.

Thus, before you head out to any gathering or party or invite your friends over, plan what you are going to eat and how can you control your diabetes while enjoying the delicacies at the same time.

Enjoy all the wonderful Christmas food you want – but in moderation. That is the key to your health – moderation. Eat your favorite foods sensibly, in small portions, but do not overeat. Overeating not only holds the risk of weight gain but also high sugar levels!

Here are a few helpful tips to get you through the holidays:

• Ask around for diabetic friendly cakes, sweets and candies. Most shops now prepare a lot of sugar free foods.
• Focus on healthy, well-balanced meal of vegetables, grains and lean meats. You can make appetizers more attractive by adding some colorful veggies to it.
• Select leaner cuts of meat, such as white meat turkey or chicken instead of fatty meats such as duck or roast beef. Also skip the gravy and sauces, or use only a little.
• Eat smaller portions. At a buffet, use a smaller plate and pick only the foods you really want to eat. Don’t overfill you plate.
• Drink plenty of water as it not only keeps you hydrated but cleanses your body of toxins as well.
• At “one-dish” parties, take your own low fat, sugar free dishes for all to enjoy.
• Plan ahead of time what you are going to eat and stick to a prescribed limit. Don’t go back for second helpings.
• At parties and other social events, gravitate toward the veggies and fresh fruit.
• Plan your meals for the day by keeping in mind the party at night. Eat a low calorie, light breakfast and lunch, so that you can indulge a little at night.
• Eat a light snack or appetizer before you go to the party so you do not feel too hungry and then overeat.
• Limit your alcohol intake as drinks are empty calories.
• Eat slowly and savor each bite. Once you feel full sop eating and do not try and finish everything on your plate.
• Don’t keep leftovers, instead do good deed and give the extra food to a shelter or halfway house.
• Coffee and unsweetened tea are free foods. Add artificial sweetener and skim milk if needed and enjoy!
• Always keep a close watch on your blood sugar levels especially before and after parties.
• During the holidays, make sure to exercise. Follow a regular exercise routine or try taking a 10-15 minute brisk walk throughout the day. Remember after a big meal, wait 60 to 90 minutes before going for a walk.
• If it’s too cold outside to exercise. Work out indoors, or go and join a gym.
• Winter is the perfect time to try a new sport like cross-country skiing or snow boarding. Otherwise you can simply just building a snowman, have a snowball fight or shovel your driveway. Either way, do something, don’t sit around.
• Make sure you get plenty of sleep and rest every night.