Manage Your Blood Sugars This Holiday

The holiday season is with us, again. With it comes the temptations, parties, and traveling. It also comes with food, lots of food, and this could go on for weeks.

So, how do you maintain your sugar levels during this time? I will discuss some tips that can help you stay on track no matter what is cooking.

At the Buffet

You are likely to be faced by a buffet of mouthwatering holiday foods all through the season, so you must make wise choices.

·      Pick the foods you like, and move away from the buffet table, and remember to use a small plate. Start with the vegetables as these will take the edge off your appetite

·      Eat slowly because it takes a minimum of 20 minutes for your brain to register that you are satisfied.

·      Limit your intake of alcohol, if you must have some.

Have a plan                     

You may not be in control of what will be served, and the temptation might be increased by the amount of treats that will be available. So how do you handle this?

·      I suggest you eat close to your usual meal times. If the food is served later than you usually eat, take a small snack at your usual mealtime, then serve less when food is brought to the table. This will help you keep your blood sugar steady.

·      If you are invited to a party, you can offer to bring a healthy dish. If you have had a sweet treat at the party, make a point of cutting back on carbohydrates during the meal.

·      Remember not to skip meals to save up for a feast as this will make it harder for you. You will end up extremely hungry and will most likely end up overeating.

·      Don’t beat yourself up in case you have a cheat meal, just focus on getting back on track with your next meal.

Keep moving

This time of the year may be too busy with all the parties and travel. But being active should be top on your list of things to do as it will help you make up for the extra calories you consume. Activity is also a way to relieve stress during this season.

You could take walks after meals and involve your friends and family to make it more interesting. Alternatively, you can also walk the dog!

Eat your favorites

It is the holidays, and you are allowed to eat some foods you may not eat during other times of the year. Think about that pie? Can you really resist the temptation?

It is ok to have a small serving and savor it, but make sure to count it in your meal plan

Get plenty of sleep

You are likely to go out a lot and stay out longer than usual, which could mean comprising on the number of hours you sleep. Failure to sleep enough will lead to cravings for high sugar, high-fat foods, which will lead to raised sugar levels.

Ensure you sleep for 7 to 8 hours every night, and this will control your eating habits.

As you do all this, remember that this is the season to connect and celebrate with your loved ones. Have a lot of fun