The scene is familiar to most of us: the cooked turkey on a platter in the center of the table surrounded by massive helpings of mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, cranberries and other traditional Thanksgiving food. While most of us would salivate just thinking about that meal, a diabetic may cringe and know that they have some tough choices ahead of them.
Carefully managing a special meal like Thanksgiving dinner can help keep your diabetes in check.
Thanksgiving and other food-centric holidays provide diabetics with extra challenges as they try to keep their blood sugar balanced. Through the pre-dinner drinks, the feast and the dessert, diabetics have a lot to think and be anxious amount. However, we have some tips that will hopefully help you or a diabetic you know get through the holiday season unscathed.
Prepare ahead of time- treat Thanksgiving just like any other day, meaning you eat breakfast, check your blood sugar and exercise like you normally would. Not eating for fear of too many calories is not a good idea, as the sudden introduction of loads of carbs, fat and protein into your diabetic body can create a dangerous overload.
Watch your portions- there’s no need to load up on turkey when there are plenty of delicious side dishes to choose from as well. Keep the portions of each food small and vary what you eat. While you grandma’s mashed potatoes may be amazing, they also have tons of butter and cream in them. Go for less of those and more green beans.
Make tradeoffs- have sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes, stuffing or a roll, etc. If alcoholic beverages are being served, go with one glass of wine instead of two bottles of bear, and so on. Choosing one or the other will help keep you from consuming too much or throwing your blood glucose level a curveball.
We at Medi-Rents & Sales hope these tips will help you or a diabetic you know to navigate the many feasts of the holiday season. We hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving with your loved ones, and please don’t hesitate to call or come by for your home medical needs.
Tags: diabetes, diabetics, Thanksgiving