As we enter the holiday season, for most people it’s a time of indulging in sweets and beverages that you typically don’t stock on a regular basis. Between entertaining at home and the parties you attend, that’s a whole lot of eating and drinking. For diabetics, this is a season that can often prove to be quite frustrating since they need to be careful of what they eat each and every day.
So, as a diabetic, how can you enjoy those holiday sweets and the indulgences of the season without risking your own health? Here are some tips you can use that will help you get through the holidays without feeling so left out.
Make Your Own Diabetic-Friendly Dishes
Of course, the very easiest tip is to make your own diabetic-friendly dishes that you can save at home or take with you to a party. They can still be full of flavor, but at the same time, you know they will be safe for you to eat. Diabetic candy recipes are perfect for those with a sweet tooth. You can find a variety of them on the easy-diabetic-recipes.com website featuring such standouts as caramel apples, cream cheese balls, and fudge
As an added tip, you may want to make a couple of batches of your favorite recipe(s) and then store them in the freezer. You can take them out as needed and put them on trays, in candy dishes, or take them as a hostess gift to the various parties you attend.
Be Mindful of the Alcoholic Beverages
The holiday season is more than just eating, it’s also indulging in those tasty holiday alcoholic beverages. These can do a number on blood sugar, so it’s important you are mindful and not go overboard. Too much alcohol can actually cause your blood sugar level to drop.
Stick to Your Schedule
It can be hard to stick to your regular meal and snack schedule during the holidays. Chances are you’re doing a lot of visiting, you’re out doing errands, and entertaining in your own home. As a diabetic, it’s very important that you try to stick to your regular schedule though. If you start missing meals your blood sugar is going to end up reacting in a negative way. If you will be out of the house for long periods at a time, and you aren’t quite sure when the next meal will be, it would be wise to carry a few snacks with you.
Take More Frequent Blood Sugar Readings
Even if you’re taking steps to be careful and mindful of what you eat, it’s a good idea to check your blood sugar on a more regular basis during the holiday season. This is just a safety precaution and will help you to determine if any adjustments need to be made to your insulin dose.
A Few Extra Steps
Getting through the holidays in a healthy way really just means a few extra steps for diabetics. There is absolutely no reason those with diabetes can’t enjoy the holiday indulgences; it’s just all about moderation.
