It’s very tempting to fill up on empty carbohydrates and sugary sweets — all of which are super unhealthy. What’s even more tempting is that these sweets and carb-rich foods are everywhere this time of year! This makes staying in control extremely difficult, especially when everyone else is indulging.
Most holiday foods are unhealthy for us, but they’re particularly bad for people with diabetes. But we’re not here to be a scrooge and tell you to sit this holiday season out. That’s not fun! Everyone should be able to partake in a little holiday indulgence, regardless of whether or not they have a health condition (and as long as your doctor seems okay with it). If you are going to join in on the festivities, it’s important to set a few guidelines and rules for yourself. Here are some sweet ways to manage diabetes over the holidays…
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Maintain Structure
There’s no denying that the holidays are a busy, busy time of year. There’s so much to do from shopping for gifts, planning dinners, getting together with family and friends, and of course, all those holiday parties. The key to surviving the chaos is to plan ahead and maintain some kind of structure. Remember to stick to all of your daily habits that help manage diabetes. This includes daily exercise, a normal eating schedule (with a healthy diet), regularly testing blood sugar levels, and taking medication.
Just because it’s the holidays and you’re eating out more than usual or socializing more often, it’s no excuse to throw all the rules out the window. Diabetics need to maintain some sense of structure and schedule in order to remain healthy during the holidays. Try to exercise regularly, even if it means asking a friend or family member to go out for a brisk walk after dinner. Keep up with your medications, carry them with you at all times so that you can take them at the same time every day or as requested by your doctor. If you know you’re going to be eating a big dinner, try to eat less or a little healthier earlier in the day to balance it out.