Managing Diabetes During the Holidays

November is National Diabetes Month. Making healthy choices during the holiday season can be difficult for anyone. For people with diabetes, it can be even harder. Traveling, stress, and food-filled celebrations can disrupt people’s self-management of their diabetes. Handling the holiday season with diabetes starts with being realistic. Do everything you can to make healthy choices but be aware that you cannot control everything when you’re living with diabetes.

Make a plan

Diabetes is personal. Go into the holiday season with an awareness of the foods you may encounter and how they will affect you. If you plan to have a carbohydrate-filled dinner, plan to eat a low-fat protein lunch. If you plan to travel, pack your own snacks to ensure you have healthy options available. If you are traveling farther away for the holidays, make sure you have enough medication to get you through an extended stay away from home.

Don’t starve yourself

You should not skip a meal to save up for a big one; you are more likely to overindulge if you haven’t eaten all day. Starving yourself then stuffing yourself could result in a huge spike in blood sugar. Skipping a meal could also interfere with certain medications that are calculated to meet the needs of your average-sized meals.

Limit your alcohol intake

Depending on the drink, alcohol can either raise or lower your blood sugar. The effects of drinking can show up hours later, and symptoms of low blood sugar can be mistaken for the effects of alcohol. If you are going to be drinking during the holidays, test your blood glucose before, during, and several hours after drinking.

Get enough sleep

Diabetes health goes beyond a healthy diet. There are many situations during the holidays or traveling when your sleep can be disrupted, so it is important to prioritize your regular sleep schedule.

Get up and move

Exercise can also assist in managing your diabetes health. After a long drive or a heavy meal, go for a walk or find a way to move your body. Physical activity is important in managing your blood sugar levels or decreasing any holiday-induced stress.

Give yourself grace

Making healthy choices this holiday season can make a positive impact on your diabetes health and overall experience. However, it is important to realize that you can do everything we suggested, and something can still go wrong. It is okay to enjoy yourself during the holidays and not beat yourself up when your body has a reaction to the food you’ve eaten or the sleep you’ve missed. Preparation for the holidays is wise but obsessing over what could go wrong isn’t worth missing out on time with family or friends. Plan accordingly, then enjoy the moment!

At Galen Medical Group, we stand with you in these endeavors. Our dedicated team is here to support and guide you through every health milestone and challenge. Whether seeking preventative care, managing a chronic condition, or seeking a supportive ear for your mental health concerns, we are your partners on this journey. Make sure to call your medical team at Galen Center for Diabetes & Endocrinology in case you have and questions or concerns; someone is on call at all times.