Getting Through Seasonal Temptations

Holiday eating can be a challenge for people with diabetes

TUESDAY, Dec. 24 (HealthScoutNews) -- All those holiday goodies on the table can make it difficult to stick to healthy eating habits, and that can be a serious problem for the 16 million Americans with diabetes.

However, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center offers some tips to help people with diabetes have a healthful holiday season:

Maintain a regular exercise routine to help regulate your metabolism. It's a busy time of the year, but try to take short, brisk walks at numerous intervals throughout the day. Remember that you need to wait 60 to 90 minutes after a holiday meal before you go out for a walk.

Keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. Take your diabetes medicine regularly and watch for symptoms of low and high blood sugar.

Know when to put down your fork. Practice portion control. If you keep portion sizes under control, you can eat a wider variety of foods. A small portion is less likely to upset blood sugar levels.

Choose nonfat or low fat foods. At parties and other social gatherings, go for the veggies and fresh fruit.

Take extra care to ensure your meals are nutritious, varied and balanced. If you have a treat, make sure your substitute it for an equivalent item in your regular menu.

Stay positive and remember that you control diabetes, it doesn't control you.

More information

Temple University Hospital has more advice about healthy holiday eating for people with diabetes.

--Robert Preidt

SOURCE: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, news release, December 2002

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	Maintain a regular exercise routine to help regulate your metabolism. It's a busy time of the year, but try to take short, brisk walks at numerous intervals throughout the day. Remember that you need to wait 60 to 90 minutes after a holiday meal before you go out for a walk.
	Keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. Take your diabetes medicine regularly and watch for symptoms of low and high blood sugar.
	Know when to put down your fork. Practice portion control. If you keep portion sizes under control, you can eat a wider variety of foods. A small portion is less likely to upset blood sugar levels.
	Choose nonfat or low fat foods. At parties and other social gatherings, go for the veggies and fresh fruit.
	Take extra care to ensure your meals are nutritious, varied and balanced. If you have a treat, make sure your substitute it for an equivalent item in your regular menu.
	Stay positive and remember that you control diabetes, it doesn't control you.