Holiday Meal Plan For A Diabetic

The Challenge

Holiday time can be full of food temptations; busy schedules make it hard to do any regular exercise also enjoying healthy meals. But hey! with a little planning, you can enjoy the holidays.

What you can do ahead of time:

• Have an idea about your diabetic meal plan, which will help you in what and how much to eat when you are dining away from home.
• Prepare the food that has low sugar, fat and sodium freeze it, which can be reheated quickly when you are busy.
• Holiday and exercise does not go hand in hand so schedule both, if you don’t it’ll never happen.
• When partying at your place, plan foods that fit your meal plan, there are plenty of diabetic cook books available in bookstalls, libraries that has healthy recipes, if you are net savvy browse American Diabetes Association site www.diabetes.org it features a new recipe everyday.
• Try to stick on to one or two diabetes self-management goals during the holidays. No one is perfect, but you can stick to one or two habits that are good for you.

What to do when season arrives:

• Party. Organize parties for caroling, house decorating, holiday card making or walks to see neighborhood decorations.
• If you are attending a party, ask for the menu. Take a dish along with you that you can enjoy without guilt.
• Take time and survey the dishes at the buffet table, put on your plate what you really want. Try to use a small plate and see to that your plate is not totally filled. Take a place away from the buffet table and eat. Mind it, no second helpings.
• Alcohol, insulin and some diabetes pills do not go well with the liquor. Stick to only couple of drinks. A serving of alcohol is 11/2 ounces distilled liquor, 12 ounces of light beer or 4 ounces of dry wine. Anything you do has to be permitted by a doctor.

General guidelines for healthy eating:

• Basic food is always the safest. Avoid sauces, gravies, cheese sauces, cream sauces and casseroles.
• LHalf of your plate should contain only low calorie vegetables.
• Small roll with a little of margarine will do.
• Prefer mashed potatoes against sweet potato casserole, because its low content of carbohydrates and fat.
• Fresh fruits are the best dessert. If you are fond of desserts go for very small piece.
• Coffee and unsweetened tea are any time drinks. Always go in for artificial sweetener and skim milk.