The Holidays are here, and sweets and celebrations are everywhere! It is a challenging time for everyone, trying not to pack on the holiday pounds and over indulge every chance you get. The Holidays are a particularly challenging time for people with Diabetes. With a little planning ahead, you can still enjoy the holidays, and even indulge a little like everyone else!
There are some easy things you can do to stay on track during the Holidays. First and foremost, focus on your family and friends, not food. That is what the Holidays are about anyway. They are a time to slow down, relax, and enjoy your family and friends. Put the emphasis on the activity, not the menu. For example, play games, volunteer, or spend time outdoors. It is also helpful to stay active. It can be easy to let your exercise routine go because the Holidays are so busy, but make the time to exercise and try to stay in your regular workout routine as much as you can. You could even train for a special holiday run, like a reindeer romp, or encourage your family to play a game of football or soccer or basketball after dinner. Even a rousing game of Just Dance on the Wii can get you moving.
Holiday parties can be a real challenge. Every diabetic is different, so you should be aware of your personal limits. If the meal is at your regular meal time, then try to eat the normal amount that you would normally eat. If you want to have dessert, then try to eat fewer carbohydrates during the meal. If you try to anticipate what kinds of food there will be at the party, you can plan your meals and adjust your medications during the day accordingly so you don’t have to deny yourself whatever it is that you are craving.
It can be hard to attend a party, especially if you don’t know what will be served. You can always have a snack before the party so that you don’t over indulge. And if you are really worried that you won’t have anything to eat, then you can bring a dish that you know you can eat. It can be helpful to the host to bring something to share, and that way you know you won’t go hungry. Also, try to avoid alcohol as it can cause a spike in blood sugar.
With a little planning ahead and a little extra effort, you can enjoy and indulge in the holidays just like everyone else!