From cranberry sauce to dinner parties, here is how to keep in control of your health and Diabetes this holiday season
The Holidays are here and so are all the tasty meals we look forward to every year. It can be hard to stick to our diets when Grandma’s special holiday cookies are only made once a year. Temptations can be especially strong for those managing health conditions like Diabetes. Being careful about what we eat all year gets tiring. Here’s the good news: it is possible to make healthy choices and enjoy the tasty foods the season has to offer!
Here are some tips on how to keep in control of your health while also enjoying your festive faves:
Be prepared
You can’t always control what will be served at dinner or what time you will be eating. Eat something before you go pack your favorite safety snack. This will also allow you to pick and choose what you eat at dinner instead of overeating out of hunger or to address blood sugar worries.
Don’t skip meals
As tempting as it may be to save stomach room for the big dinner feast, this can be dangerous and make your blood sugar unreliable. Make sure to eat something around your normal eating times to help keep your body balanced.
Offer to bring a side dish
There’s no better way to know what’s in a dish than making it yourself. Make a tasty salad with walnuts and cranberries or even a low-sugar pumpkin pie! If you choose to bring a vegetable dish, opt for non-starchy vegetables (like mixed greens, cauliflower, broccoli, or spinach) which are low in carbohydrates and calories. This will help fill you up and make it easier to reduce portions of other high calorie, high carbohydrate, and high fat foods that are being offered.
Snacking and Appetizers
Check with the host to see when food will be served and if there will be any healthy appetizers to munch on. If you know in advance that the options will be deep fried and high in calories, then consider packing a small healthy snack for yourself. Or offer to bring a healthy appetizer to share, like a platter of raw vegetables with a healthy dip.
Watch your portions
Being mindful of portions can help you better manage your blood sugar. Remember, you don’t have to sample everything that is offered. Focus on dishes that are more “special” or that you only have this time of year. If you cannot decide on one or two carbohydrate foods to eat, then take two-tablespoon “samples” of your favorites.
Keep clear communication
If you are worried about offending the host with picky eating, communicate with them about your nutritional needs and ask if you can bring a Diabetes-friendly dish to share. Your health is your top priority, and your host will understand.
Get inspired
You’d be surprised with how many Diabetes-friendly options are out there. The Diabetes Food Hub is a great place to search for healthy takes on your favorites and to find new dishes to make traditions. Check out this Berry Crisp recipe!
Talk to us at Chapa-De Indian Health
The Holidays can be a difficult time physically, mentally, and food-wise. Our Diabetes Department understands. We are respectful of individual preferences, needs, and values, ensuring you are the one in control of your health.
Start with Us
Our Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, Nurses, Registered Dietitians, Lifestyle Coaches, and Personal Trainers are available to offer guidance and support to help you to reach your health goals by making healthy choices day-to-day. For those in the beginning of their journey, our Diabetes Prevention Program can help participants increase physical activity, healthy eating, and weight loss if needed to delay and prevent the onset of Type 2 Diabetes.
Contact Us Today
Staying in control of your health this holiday season is possible. The Chapa-De team is available to help you in your wellness journey. Call (530) 889-3765 or visit our program page to learn more.
Chapa-De Indian Health Auburn Grass Valley | Medical Clinic
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