Christmas Celebrations and Healthy Eating

 December signals the beginning of the Christmas season with gatherings and end of year events to attend. It can be challenging for people with diabetes and others to stay on track with their healthy eating at this time of the year.
Here’s some tips from people with diabetes I’ve met over the years to stay on track for healthy eating.
  •  Shared plate events – take a plate of healthy food you know you will enjoy eating. If you know of others trying to maintain their healthy eating get in contact with them and plan a range of healthy options to take for increased options at the event. Will decrease the temptation and reliance on not so healthy foods!
  • Alcohol
    • Decide before you go if you want to drink alcohol – why not offer to be the designated driver for a group – great excuse not to drink!
    • Alcohol has almost as many calories as fat and quickly adds to the calorie count so try a white wine with soda water – decreases the amount of alcohol but lets you have a drink or two.
    • Check what a standard serve of alcohol looks like – as a tip … those big glasses aren’t meant to be filled to the top!
    • Drink a non-alcoholic low calorie drink between drinks of alcohol
    • Check if the punch  has alcohol and how much juice is in it as they can both affect blood glucose levels (BGLs)!
  • Over-eating is common at Christmas so pace yourself! Use a small plate, eat smaller portions and remember you don’t have to try everything!
  • If the food is to be provided see if you can find out what will be served and plan ahead. Don’t be afraid to leave food on the plate – you don’t have to eat it all despite what your Mother told you!
  • If a sauce is included in the meal, ask for it to be served separately so you can control how much you wish to eat.
  • Fruit mince pies, Christmas cake and Christmas puddings are all full of dried fruit and carbohydrates – likely to sharply increase BGLs.
  • Meals always have the potential of being served late, which can impact on the timing of medications. Take them with you and take them with your meal if they can cause hypoglycaemia e.g. insulin or sulphonylurea tablets.
  • It’s okay to have a few treats over Christmas – in moderation!
Christmas events are fun and with a little planning you will enjoy the event and be in good shape to maintain  a healthier you!.