A Christmas guide on how not to let diabetes spoil your fun
Christmas should be one of the happiest times of the year; a chance for families to come together and spend quality time with each other. One thing is quite likely: there will be a lot of food involved, and some of it will be higher in calories and higher in fat than what one would eat on an everyday basis. As a diabetic, there is no reason why you cannot enjoy Christmas fully. Planning sensibly and knowing how to manage Christmas are probably the only precautions you need to take.
A healthy diet for diabetics is the same as a healthy diet for other people, you do not need to have a separate plate at Christmas dinner, you just need to be aware. Traditional foods are a huge part of an English Christmas. Piles of mince pies, an enormous Christmas pudding soaked in brandy butter, a Christmas cake to top it off… All of these foods may be eaten- it is a case of not having too much. Don’t gorge yourself as many people do at Christmas- spread the traditional foods out for the entire Christmas period. Also, don’t be tempted by special ‘diabetic’ foods. Although these may be low in sugar- they may not actually help diabetics.
Letting friends and family know how you want to be served could be helpful as well. Fried food can be easily avoided by roasting or grilling. Avoid adding butter to vegetables, and keep an eye on how many rich sauces you eat – perhaps ask for them to be served separately. Keeping your food routine constant is a good idea, avoid eating too much at one meal and too little at the next.
Trying to stay active and healthy at Christmas can seem like the last things on your mind. A walk or run in the drizzle might seem too much, but after heavy eating it’ll do you the world of good. And everyone eats too much, so don’t worry if you do. Just keep and eye on your blood sugar levels. However, keeping healthy snacks in-house and visible so you can reach for them instead of a mince pie could be a good idea. Make sure if you are travelling to parties that you have the necessary foods with you. Being flexible with your injection and eating routine may be necessary, but make sure you check with your health care specialist beforehand.
Booze is very much a part of some peoples family Christmases. From the brandy for Santa Claus, through to a glass of mulled wine, the temptation to drink a lot certainly exists for many people. Keep an eye on alcohol levels and what they do to your blood sugar, and remember that sugary soft drinks and some alcohol free drinks should also be kept in moderation. Either wear or carry some form of Diabetes identification, and make certain you inform the people you are with if they don’t already know. That way, there is no chance of a diabetic reaction being confused with being drunk.
Plan well, and have a great christmas.
