This season of holiday celebrations is a great chance to engage in time with family members and friends, but let’s be honest: it’s often also a time for overindulgence in less-than-healthy meals. With a multitude of rich, fatty, and sugary dishes to choose from at every turn, it’s difficult to follow a nutritious diet, which can cause serious health concerns for those with diabetes. How can you enjoy the holidays while still following recommended diabetes nutrition guidelines?
These tips, however, can help those with diabetes remain safe throughout the holiday season without being deprived of special treats. Be sure to first talk with the doctor for his or her approval on any meal decisions that stray from an approved diabetes nutrition plan.
- Make a decision on your preferences. Review choices during a holiday meal, and pick your top two carbs to enjoy. For instance, decide if you would prefer to have stuffing or bread, or pick between mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, as opposed to indulging in all of the food choices.
- Provide your own. When attending a holiday gathering at someone’s residence, talk to the host about your nutritional limitations, and offer to bring a nutritious dish to share, such as a tray of veggies or a sugar-free dessert.
- Have a snack first. Enjoying a healthy snack prior to the holiday meal will help with keeping blood sugar levels consistent and aid in steering clear of the urge to go overboard. Good snack choices for people with diabetes include nuts, veggies with hummus, celery with peanut butter, cottage or string cheese, or an egg.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking a glass of water prior to sitting down to the meal will help give a feeling of fullness, lowering the possibility that you’ll be inclined to overindulge.
- Stay physically active. After a heavy meal, defy the urge to sink into the recliner and watch TV or take a nap; instead, offer to help with cleaning up the kitchen, play an active game with the kids, or go for a walk in the cooler fall air.
If in spite of these tactics you end up overeating or making less-than-healthy selections, be kind and forgiving to yourself. Keep in mind that tomorrow is a new day to resume healthy choices again. Keep an eye on your blood sugar to be sure levels stay in the appropriate range and to prevent the chance for a serious complication, like diabetic ketoacidosis, which could result in a hospital stay and most definitely put a damper on the holiday fun.
Call the in-home care team at Compassionate Care Home Health Services to learn more diabetes diet-friendly tips, for help with preparing healthy meals, providing medication reminders and encouragement to engage in exercise programs, and much more! Our home care in Cadillac and the surrounding area is available throughout the holiday season and beyond to help seniors live their best possible lives. You can reach us at 877.308.1212 to request a free in-home consultation.