Don’t let diabetes ruin your festive fun, here are some diabetes management tips for the festive season to help keep you healthy and happy.
Having diabetes often means that you have to miss out on a lot of the delicious and mouth-watering treats that are at hand’s reach during the festive season.
From your granny’s apple crumble, your auntie’s malva pudding to treating yourself to a sugary cocktail – it can all come at a price if you suffer from diabetes. We don’t want you to feel like you are missing out on all the fun this festive season; diabetes is something that can be managed with a healthy diet and lifestyle and is certainly not something that should get you down!
That’s why we have put together our 5 top tips to keep your diabetes under control and still have a jolly good time these holidays with family and loved ones.
Discover: 5 Healthy Festive Recipes the Whole Family Will Love!
Our Tips for Diabetes Management and Still Having Fun
1. Keep the recipes light
If you are cooking, then try to reduce the carbs and sugar in your recipes. Things like white rice, processed grains and white flour are all a no go.
Try using oat flour (just blend the oats in a blender to get this) and natural sugars like honey. Fats like cooking oil are also a big no. A great trick is to use coconut or olive oil in savoury things and unsweetened applesauce to replace oils in sweet recipes.
2. Know your portions
It is often very easy to dish up a large amount of food when your family has prepared such a feast for the festive season. But the trick is to know your portions.
Your lean meats should take up about the size of a deck of cards on your place, carbs such as rice or pasta should be about half the size of a fist and when it comes to green veggies, these should take up the remaining space (about half) of your plate.
Read this: Types of Diabetes: Your Questions Answered!
3. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day
Make sure you are getting in at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, 5 times a week. This can include walks on the beach, running, yoga and even swimming. Even if you only have 10 or 20 minutes, grab your running shoes and go for a quick jog.
Exercise helps improve your blood sugar levels and also helps you lose weight – which you probably already know by now. Getting into good habits over the festive season will ensure your new year starts off on a great note!
Imagine coming back from holiday and looking fit and fabulous when everyone else is sort of fat and frumpy? Bragging rights? We think so. Bear in mind, if you suffer from any complications that are related to your diabetes, then speak to your doctor about what exercises he or she recommends are safe for you to do.
Also, remember to check your sugar levels before you exercise and if you are planning on going on a long beach walk, bring a snack with you in case your blood sugar levels drop too low.
4. Stress less
We know how this is easier said than done, but the point of the matter is that you are on holiday – enjoy it! Stress can affect your blood sugar levels, so try out yoga, meditation or breathing techniques to help rid you of stress. Exercise also helps in getting rid of stress.
Related: 3 Proven Ways to Reduce Stress & Enjoy Life More
5. Don’t drink your calories
Alcoholic beverages and sweet drinks come hand in hand with holidays. It’s all too easy to crack open a beer or pour yourself a delicious cocktail but the thing is, these tasty treats come loaded with carbs, sugars and calories that can badly affect your blood sugar levels.
If you enjoy beer, opt for a lite option or have a glass of red wine. White spirits and whiskeys are also healthier. If you like a mix, then mix your drink with zero calorie fizzy drinks.
We know having diabetes is not easy, that’s why we offer health insurance that helps cover the costs of this condition. We hope these tips help you with your diabetes management these holidays while still having a heap of fun.
Your Health Insurance Family,
Oneplan
