Diabetes and Holiday Food Temptations
Reviewed by Staff of Diabetes Digest

Dr. Perfetti, Director of the Endocrine Training Program and the Outpatient Diabetes and Weight Management programs for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California recommends that the following tips will help people with diabetes enjoy a healthy holiday season:

• Follow a regular exercise routine to help regulate metabolism. If time is tight, try taking 10 or 15 minute brisk walks at intervals throughout the day. Remember, after a holiday meal, to wait 60 to 90 minutes before taking your walk.
• Keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible and take your diabetes medicine regularly. Watch for symptoms of low and high blood sugar.
• “Know when enough is enough.” Practice portion control. If you control the portion sizes of the food you eat, you will be able to eat a wider variety of foods including your favorites.
• Do a “trade-off.” Eating more during the holidays can be - in part - offset by a moderate and daily increase in physical exercise.
• Choose nonfat or low fat foods. A healthy diet includes less than 30% of calories from fat, with less than 10% of those from saturated fat.
• At parties and other social events, gravitate toward the veggies and fresh fruit.
• Take extra care to be certain that your meals are nutritious, varied and balanced. If you do have a treat, make sure you substitute it for an equivalent item in your regular menu.
• Be positive. Remember that you control your diabetes; it doesn’t control you.