Your Holiday Diabetes Action Plan

If you are living with diabetes, it is important to make a holiday action plan to stay on top of your blood sugar levels. Follow the tips below to help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels during the holidays.

Form a Game Plan

Avoid overindulging by controlling as much of the situation as you can. Mentally prepare by making a list of what you are most looking forward to eating. If you know you absolutely must have Aunt Mable’s pumpkin pie, then plan on it and cut other things out of your meal like gravy and/or rolls.

You do not have to make a vow to avoid all the things you love, just prioritize those dishes and cut out other ones.

Make Your Own Sides

Bringing a side dish to a gathering is not only good manners, it’s also a great way to control what you eat. Try limiting the sodium content in your dish or make healthy substitutions such as sweet potatoes for white potatoes or mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes.

Control Portions

One of the best ways to keep your blood sugar levels balanced is to practice portion control. A good rule of thumb is to fill half your plate with vegetables. To avoid overeating place your food on a smaller plate. You should also drink water before and during meals, this helps regulate blood sugar levels and makes you feel fuller.

Stay Active

Create an exercise plan that fits your holiday schedule. You can start walking after meals or doing daily pushups to keep a consistent exercise routine. This is also a great time to get active with friends and family.

Diabetes can feel like an extra burden during the holidays, but with a little prep you can still have all the holiday fun. Make sure to create a plan for meals, medication, sleep and exercise so you can get the most out of this time. Check your blood sugar often and have all your medications and devices on-hand.

Did you know BSA offers a free diabetes class every Thursday from 12-1 p.m. at BSA Outpatient Therapy Services? To register, visit bsahs.org/diabetes.