How to manage diabetes during holidays and special occassions..?
Saturday, May 10th, 2008How 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.
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