7 tips to stay on track during the holidays
December 15, 2021
Holidays are a good time to eat, drink and have fun! However, eating and drinking sugary foods and beverages can make it difficult to control weight and blood sugar-which may not make you happy. Here are seven tips that you need to overcome this holiday season and keep your diabetes management on track:
#1: Be a healthy owner
If you are the person hosting a holiday party, you may have a large to-do list. This might include meal planning, grocery shopping, baking, cooking, cleaning, decorating and setting the table-did I miss something? Make sure to take care of yourself a few days before the holiday party so that you can take care of your guests. To control blood sugar, eat meals on time and maintain a consistent sleep schedule. If you are taking medications, please set a reminder to take them!
#2: Bring a healthy dish to share
If you are a guest at a holiday party, you may be assigned an appetizer, side dish, main course or dessert. You might expect Aunt Betty’s sugary pecan pie and cousin Eddy’s super sweet eggnog to appear at the party, both of which will make your blood sugar soar. This is your chance to bring healthy food to the table! A healthy dish is not only good for you, but also good for your family.Try to replace traditional dishes made with sugar with traditional dishes made with sugar Splenda granular sweetener, Splenda sugar blend, or Splenda Brown Sugar Mix. Or you can explore hundreds of delicious Splenda recipes here.These are two great holiday dishes Cinnamon Roasted Carrots and Cranberries and Mini meat pies, Both are Diabetes friendly recipes!
#3: Avoid skipping meals
Many people choose to skip breakfast and lunch on holiday days to “save” their holiday meals. For diabetics, this may have consequences. First, it can cause blood sugar to drop, especially if you are taking certain diabetes medications, such as insulin or sulfonylureas. Secondly, it will make you feel really hungry, which can lead to over-eating at dinner, which can lead to a spike in blood sugar.
You don’t necessarily need to eat a good breakfast or lunch on the holiday day, but these meals should at least be balanced and well spaced.For breakfast, try this light food Berry Almond Oatmeal use Splenda Sweetener Pack, Make a simple turkey sandwich with these for lunch Sweet and crunchy deli kimchi use Splenda granular sweetener. Another good option is to substitute breakfast or lunch Splenda Diabetes Care Shake. Each 8-ounce glass of milkshake contains a unique blend of high-quality protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats, which can help control blood sugar and keep you feeling full.
#4: Don’t wander around the dining table
Wandering around the table can lead to blind eating, that is, eating when you are distracted or not fully aware of what you are eating or how much you are eating.Not surprisingly, the opposite of blind eating is Pay attention eat. Mindful eating is consciously paying attention to what you take off the table. You fully understand food—its taste and smell, its texture, and how it feels to you. When you practice mindful eating, you can control your diet, so you usually eat less.
#5: Plan your plate
Whether the food is served from the kitchen (self-service) or on the table (home-style), you should make sure of all options before serving. Otherwise, you may end up with a pile of starchy noodles and very little protein and vegetables.
Be selective. Of course your favorites are included, but make sure you still pay attention to your weight.you can use it Diabetes Tablet Method Seek guidance!First fill half of your plate with non-starchy vegetables like these Sweet Glazed Carrots use Splenda granular sweetenerNext, fill a quarter of the plate with protein, such as ham covered with this Splenda Holiday ham glaze. Finally, fill the last quarter of your plate with carbohydrate foods like this Classic Sweet Potato Casserole use Splenda Brown Sugar Mix Or this Face ball use Splenda sugar blend.
#6: Think about your drink
Beverages may be the main source of “hidden” calories and sugars in the diet. That’s because they don’t feel full like food, so you may not realize how many calories and sugars you actually eat. For example, a regular 12-ounce cola contains approximately 140 calories and 40 grams of added sugar! This is more sugar than a person should consume throughout the day! The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to no more than 24 grams per day for most women, and no more than 36 grams per day for most men.1
Don’t use sugar to sweeten your holiday tea or coffee, but use Splenda Sweetener Pack or Splenda sweetener liquid. If you like the cream in your coffee, please check our Splenda Coffee Creamer, There are three kinds of delicacies: French vanilla, sweet cream and hazelnuts.If you like to drink water with your meal but want some taste, please try Splenda liquid water enhancer. If you are adventurous and want to make fun holiday drinks from scratch, check out our Drink recipes. This Mint mocha and this French Vanilla Eggnog Very suitable for this season!
#7: Move after meal
The last thing you should do after a big meal is to lie on the sofa, because this can cause high blood sugar. Get up and move! Take a walk with family or friends after dinner. Play with your children or grandchildren in the leaves or snow. Or play a game of flag ball football in the yard-the options are endless! Just make sure to test your blood sugar before and after physical activity or as directed by your healthcare professional. Physical exercise affects the blood sugar of diabetic patients in different ways, so it is best to consult your healthcare professional!
Written by Holly Moran, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES, and Splenda Health Science team members.
