American Diabetes Association Says Plan Ahead to Keep Blood Glucose Levels Down During Holiday Feasting

The American Diabetes Association offers tips for diabetics during the holiday feasting. It is a time when it's easy to stray from the special diet that a diabetic needs. The stress can also contribute to exhaustion, overeating, and changes in blood glucose levels. To prepare for the holidays the American Diabetes Association advises checking your schedules and menus in order to plan ahead.

Just yesterday a friend of mine, who is a 70 year old diabetic, mentioned she had begun celebrating the holidays and her blood suger was way up. When everyone else is partying and eating high carb foods, such as cookies, bread, pizza, cake and pies, it is easy to lose track of what you eat.

The website explains it's important to keep the fat, suger and carbohydrate counts under control in the foods that you prepare for the holidays. Traditional recipes may need to be altered or to use substitutions.

The website for the American Diabetes Association suggests getting plenty of exercise. It is tempting to spend a lot of time sitting and eating when there is so much feasting going on. The site recommends using exercise to help control blood glucose levels.

An article on the site titled "Eat Your Veggies" recommended avoiding potatoes, corn and starchy vegetables as the high carb vegetables can raise blood glucose levels. Tomatoes, carrots, squash, and green vegetables were recommended.

If you are a caregiver for a diabetic you will be preparing holiday foods. By using substitutions in the recipes you can keep the food healthy for a diabetic to consume and enjoy. There is a wealth of information on menu planning at the American Diabetes Association website to help you plan ahead.