How to Manage Diabetes during Holidays and Special Occasions 

Everyone struggles to maintain healthy eating habits during holidays but if you have diabetes you don’t have the option to just forget about your restrictions without major health risks. However, we all want to be able to enjoy ourselves and not resent all of our friends for having such a good time while we suffer through horrible dieting. Below are some suggestions to help you manage diabetes during holidays and special occasions and still enjoy.

Host

Whether it is a birthday, anniversary, or holiday dinner you will have more control over your diet if you can plan the menu. With a little effort and research you will find that it is quite easy to plan a diabetic friendly menu that people will enjoy. Use baked goods with sugar substitutes, choose main dishes that have wide appeal without a zillion carbohydrates, and pick beverages that are low in sugar or sugar free. Your guest will be pleased and you will be praised as a host all while avoiding temptation.

Eat before you go

It is a simple but effective technique. Most of the time you will still eat at the event but you will make better choices if you are not hungry than if everything looks good and your starving.

Plan

If you are attending an event in someone’s home you may want to bring some suitable snacks. If you are going out then plan for the restaurant even if it is fast food. Check their website and plan your meal before you arrive. Also, ask for what you need. If it is a nice restaurant call ahead and ask if the Chef or other staff can make a recommendation, many chefs will alter the recipe when possible to accommodate medically relevant food restrictions and most have a list of diabetic friendly dishes in their repertoire.

Concentrate on activities other than eating

Healthy living requires lifestyle changes and the shifting of your mindset. Just as someone who is trying to smoke should stay away from the smokers outside at a party if you have a sweet tooth don’t stand next to the dessert table. Find something else to do! If it’s appropriate try to get some people involved in a game our make it a point to converse with everyone in the room for 5 minutes. Avoiding the temptation is key in changing your habits.

Don’t Drink Alcohol

Alcohol effects your reasoning and decision making ability and not in a positive way. Two glasses of wine may well lead to an additional carbohydrate loading session and 3 desserts. If you are going to drink at an event try to wait until after the meals is served and cleared or have a partner help you monitor your food choices.