Skip to main content

Managing Diabetes During The Winter Holidays

 Holiday parties and long distance travel pose an extra challenge when you have diabetes. 

With healthy lifestyle choices and advance planning, you can celebrate the winter holidays and manage your condition at the same time.

Eating Tips

 


1. Slim down favorite recipes. Experiment with putting less butter, sour cream, cheese and sugar into your traditional dishes. Sprinkle on fresh herbs for flavor.

2. Control portions. Enjoy a taste of the foods you love. Limit your portion sizes and chew slowly so you'll be satisfied with less.

3. Snack between meals. Munch on nuts, cut vegetables, and whole grain cereals. It's easier to resist temptation on a full stomach.

4. Be selective about sweets. Think ahead to focus on which dessert is a must for you. A sliver of cherry pie beats grazing around the whole dessert buffet. Indulge in baked fruit and sugar free candy.

5. Limit alcohol. Some cocktails pack a lot of calories and any alcohol can weaken your willpower. Most experts advise up to one drink a day for women and two for men. Sip water or tea instead.

Exercise Tips:

1. Take a walk. When your schedule gets hectic, you can still squeeze in a walk. Check out the decorations on your neighbor's houses after dinner or visit a park early in the morning.

2. Design home workouts. If there's little time to get to the gym, find activities you can do at home. Jump rope or borrow an exercise video from your local library.

3. Make family outings more active. Take everybody out for an afternoon of ice skating or cross country skiing. If you prefer indoor events, visit a yoga studio.

Travel Tips


1. Pack extra medication. Fill your suitcase with twice as much medication as you expect to need. There could be heavy traffic and long airport delays.

2. Bring along pertinent information. Stick a written note in your pocket or handbag with your medical insurance and doctor's contact information. Ensure your syringes and insulin are in their original pharmacy packaging with their preprinted labels.

3. Advise others of your condition. Let at least one person know you have diabetes. Mention it to a travel companion or the flight attendant.

4. Keep your insulin cool. Insulin overheats easily. Put it in an insulated bag with cooling gel packs.

5. Move around. Sitting for a long time can increase your risk of blood clots. On car rides, take breaks every couple of hours to walk around. Walk the aisle on a plane or rotate your ankles occasionally.

6. Eat right. Ask the airline for a diabetic meal or prepare your own food. Use an insulated bag to bring yogurt, baby carrots, and whole grain pitas.

7. Check international regulations. Prescription laws vary by country. Let your doctor know your destination if you have any concerns.

Additional Tips

1. Check your blood glucose more frequently. Any changes in your daily routine can affect your blood glucose level. Monitor your blood sugar more often during the winter holidays.

2. Gather your family health history. Like many conditions, family history plays a big part in diabetes. Use family gatherings to find out if your relatives have similar health issues and support each other in getting the care you need.

3. Talk with your doctor. It's always important to talk with your doctor and health care team about your individual needs. They can advise you about modifying your diet and other ways to manage your health issues.

Effectively managing your diabetes lets you enjoy all the festivities of the winter holiday season without compromising your health. 

Keeping yourself in top condition is a wonderful gift for yourself and your loved ones.





 

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Health Benefits of Green Tea

  Fast Facts About Organic Green Tea Green tea leaves are harvested and dried before they even ferment. This process ensures that organic green tea keeps many of its healthy properties compared to other teas, which undergo a lot of processes. Organic green tea produces a fresher and more aromatic flavor that many people love and enjoy. Aside from their taste and aroma, green teas are patronized more for their benefits to the overall condition of the body. They are now included in many diets and are made into diet supplements in the form of pills and extracts as well. Basic Facts about Organic Green Tea Men have been drinking organic green tea for over half a million years now. Its medicinal effects have been known by Chinese people long before research and experiments have been done to prove its benefits. The history of green tea dates back to Asian culture, where it was used both as a beverage and as an herbal medicine. As a matter of fact, history reports show that organic green ...
Read more

Early Signs of Hypothyroidism You Should Never Ignore

    Hypothyroidism, also known as underactive thyroid disease, is a condition where the thyroid gland, a small, butterfly-shaped organ located in your neck, doesn't produce and release enough thyroid hormones into your bloodstream. These thyroid hormones, primarily Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3), are crucial for regulating numerous bodily functions, including metabolism, heart function, digestion, body temperature, energy use, and brain development. When the thyroid gland is underactive, your metabolism slows down, leading to a cascade of symptoms. The symptoms of hypothyroidism often develop gradually, sometimes over years, making them easy to overlook or misattribute to normal aging or other conditions. However, recognizing these early signs is vital because if left untreated over long periods of time, hypothyroidism can become life-threatening , potentially leading to serious complications . Early diagnosis and treatment are the best ways to reduce your risk of ...
Read more

The Ketogenic Diet: Benefits, Risks, and How to Do It Safely

  *A plain-language guide to one of the world's most talked-about diets* What Is the Ketogenic Diet? Imagine your body as a car that normally runs on gasoline, that gasoline is carbohydrates (carbs), the sugars and starches found in bread, rice, fruit, and pasta. The ketogenic diet, or "keto," swaps that fuel source entirely. By eating very few carbs, usually less than 50 grams a day (about the amount in one medium banana), and replacing them with high-fat foods, you push your body into a metabolic state called **ketosis**. In ketosis, your liver breaks down fat into molecules called *ketones*, which your brain and muscles use as an alternative energy source. In simple terms: instead of burning sugar, your body burns fat. That's the entire premise of keto, and it's why millions of people around the world try it every year. A standard keto diet looks something like this: - **70% of calories from fat** (avocados, olive oil, nuts, fatty fish, cheese) - **25% from pro...
Read more