The biggest celebration of the year is just around the corner, and with it comes the grand feast that all of us are looking forward to (along with the long overdue family gathering of course).
I know how hard it must be for people with diabetes around this time of the year. Granted, taming the gluttonous beast inside of us is not an easy task (I’m Asian, I know).
To stop you from falling into the eat-‘til-you-drop plight, here are five useless tips that everyone, diabetics included, ought to know.
Eat your regular meals. Don’t starve yourself to death in anticipation of the feast. The combination of skipping meals and overindulgence can send you on an unforgettable blood sugar rollercoaster. Unfortunately, it is not the daily amount of carb that the body takes into account. Instead, it starts to react the moment carb hits the bloodstream.
Well-balanced plate. Now is not the time to be forgetting about all the things you’ve been taught about eating well with diabetes. Quick tip: load up half of your plate with veggies, ¼ with meat and alternatives, and ¼ with carb.
Savor your foods. Take the time to chew your food. Research has noted that this simple trick can cut down the number of calories ingested. The reason behind this observation lies in the fact that it takes about 20 minutes for the brain to register the state of fullness. Rather than eating non-stop throughout the whole dinner, take a break here and there and make conversation.
Watch out for the booze. People with diabetes should limit their alcohol intake to two drinks per day. Women should avoid consuming more than ten drinks per week while men should limit to 15 drinks per week. Alternate between alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages.
Get moving. The worst thing you can do after feasting is to lie flat on the couch. No need for an intense workout either. Play an active game like Gesstures and DDR (I’m Asian, sue me) or simply take a walk. Anything is better than sitting.
