With the holidays just around the corner, managing diabetes requires careful planning and self-control. Everywhere you turn, the sweets and carbohydrate laden foods are abundant!
Tips to help manage diabetes this holiday season.
- Look for diabetes-friendly alternatives such as fresh baked sweets potatoes instead of sweet potato casserole, or mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes.
- Farm fresh fruits and vegetables are in season! These include apples and winter squash. Try something new this time of year!
- Cinnamon has been shown to have some impact on lowering blood sugars: Try ½ to 2 teaspoons per day.
- Plan ahead. If you’re going to a party, don’t linger near the food table and keep alcohol intake to a minimum: one drink for women, two for men per CDC guidelines.
- Aim for balance. Skip the potatoes and eat the dessert or vice versa.
- Eat slowly and savor each bite. Recognize fullness before you are full.
- Take the focus off food and socialize.
- Exercise. Suggest a walk or hike after lunch or dinner with family and friends. As weather allows, play a game of yard football or frisbee. Regular exercise helps stabilize blood sugars.
- Manage the stress of the holidays. Stress can have an impact on blood sugar levels.
- Eat all meals normally. Skipping meals and eating one large meal can wreak havoc on blood sugar readings.
Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie
Ready in: 1 hr 10 mins
Serves: 8
Ingredients:
2 eggs
15 oz can pumpkin
3/4 cup Splenda granular
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp clove
12 oz can evaporated milk
1-9 inch unbaked pie shell
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Combine ingredients.
- Pour into pie crust.
- Bake 15 minutes at 425 degrees.
- Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake 45 minutes.
- Cool and garnish with whipped cream.
Care you will love.
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