Freedom Home Care Lake Forest would like to remind you that November is also American Diabetes Month. With that in mind, here are some tips on preparing food for the holidays for people with diabetes.

The holidays can be a tough time for diabetics. There are many sweet, starchy foods in abundance and it’s generally a time of festive binge eating. By preparing ahead of time, both hosts and guests can enjoy eating in sensible and healthy ways. Here is a guide for how to do that.

Have a Food Plan

The success of any event depends on a good plan so have one in place before you enter into the holiday season. Stay on track with normal eating times. If meal times have been drastically altered, have some snacks with you and eat less during the meal. If you’ve been invited to be a guest in someone’s home, ask if you can bring a dish.

Try to stick to your regular eating schedule, don’t skip any meals so you can eat an extra big dinner. Holiday meal buffets are tricky. Use a small plate to limit portions and eat slowly, and avoid alcoholic beverages. If you do opt for a small portion of dessert, hold back on the mashed potatoes during dinner. Skip the pecan pie and have pumpkin pie instead and just a half dollop of whipped cream, please.

Your family caregiver will remind you to check your blood sugar more often during the holiday. Ask your doctor if any medications should be adjusted during the holidays. November is National Family Caregivers Month, so make sure you tell them how much you appreciate their care.

Get Your Sleep

If you will be a guest in someone else’s home or plan on traveling, your regular sleep schedule can get disrupted. Try to stick to it as much as possible, but make sure to get plenty of naps in too. It becomes more difficult to control blood sugar levels when you don’t get enough sleep. You’ll also eat more as a result, so get your rest.

Get Your Exercise

It’s also a good idea to stick to your regular exercise routine too. This is especially important for people with diabetes. Walking is a great way to catch up with friends and family members. It’s important to keep moving and stay active. This will help burn off some of those calories and reduce stress levels.

Enjoy the Holidays

Happy holiday season from your home care agency! We hope this helps you enjoy the foods you love during the holidays!. Stay up to date with our homecare news and visit us online today! Learn more about our home care agency and home health agency services today at freedom medical staffing.