Managing Diabetes During the Holidays

Tis the season for eggnog, cookies and pie! It’s also one of the toughest times of year to regulate your diet if you’re diabetic or pre-diabetic. If you’re one of the 34 million people in the United States who will manage diabetes this holiday season, here are some pointers to remember.

• Use sugar substitutes. If you’re responsible for the cooking this season, check out Food Network’s diabetes-conscious recipes. The recipe list covers every part of the meal from appetizers to dessert—all below 30 grams of carbohydrates per serving and sensitive to sugar intake. If you’re going to someone else’s home for the holidays, they want you to feel welcome too! Let them know that you have dietary restrictions.
• Make some time for exercise. Throw a football around the yard with the kids or go for a jog. Exercising uses your body’s glucose, which helps regulate your blood sugar. People with diabetes should aim for 30 minutes of exercise each day, five days a week. Your comfiest chair will still be empty when you’re finished with your workout.
• Alcohol is fine—in moderation. The Cleveland Clinic recommends that diabetics consume no more than one alcoholic drink per day for women and no more than two for men. Keep in mind that alcoholic beverages vary in their sugar content. Stay away from the brandy and mulled wine!
• And, for a New Year’s Resolution… Kick the cigarette habit. Smoking is never a good idea, but it’s especially harmful to people with diabetes. Diabetes already increases the risk of heart disease, and smoking only makes it more likely. As a participant in the Fund, you have access to a variety of smoking cessation resources.