Experts dish on diabetes management during the holidays

BY BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

Dishes upon dishes of food ? that?s a staple of almost every holiday gathering. Whether it?s Christmas cookies, carbohydrate-rich sides or second helpings of a main course, it?s easy to get sidetracked from a healthy, balanced diet as holiday celebrations roll one into the next.

For someone living with diabetes, however, getting off course when it comes to lifestyle management can sometimes mean serious health consequences. Henry County Health Center (HCHC) diabetes education expert, Laura Williams, RN, CDE, CCP, and registered dietician, Elise Klopfenstein are all too familiar with the struggles of managing diabetes during the holidays, and have a few expert tips to offer diabetics who may be feeling the pressure to remain on the good side of healthy this holiday season.

Make diabetes-friendly dishes to take to holiday meals

While a hard and fast rule on foods that someone with diabetes should stay away from eating don?t exactly exist, it?s important to be mindful that what?s being ingested will effect blood sugar counts. On that note, Klopfenstein has one simple suggestion to keep things in balance.

?I think it?s always best to volunteer to make or provide a portion of the meal that suits your needs as a diabetic than to ask the host of a dinner party to make something special just for you,? says Klopfenstein. ?It?s more well-received if you volunteer to make something that you can eat and enjoy than to put added pressure on the host.?

A commonplace issue among many of her diabetes patients, Williams says this problem is often one that leads to a breakdown of proper diabetes management.

?What we find a lot with patients is that they go to dinner parties and there is nothing or very little for them to eat,? said Williams. ?If cooking isn?t something you like to do, you can also try to suggest different recipes ahead of time if a host is willing to cook them. Bringing dishes of your own is always a good idea, though.?

At HCHC?s Diabetes Support Groups, Williams says she tries to exchange healthy holiday recipes with patients so as to keep holiday eating fun, enjoyable and manageable for all. Williams says she also tries to offer up appropriate ways to broach the topic of food preparation with those who may be new to diabetes management.

And when it comes to food in particular, one major food that Klopfenstein says trips up many diabetics is vegetables with more than enough starch. Dieticians recommend that during heavy holiday meals, diabetics make sure they get a proportionate helping of a non-starchy vegetable.

?When you think about what?s at a traditional Christmas or holiday meal you think of stuffing, the potatoes, yams, the corn casserole and so on. It?s all carbs,? says Klopfenstein. ?You need to make sure you are adding a beautiful side dish of something like green beans, tossed salads with pomegranates, or something festive that doesn?t have all those carbs and starches.?

Williams also adds that prior to sitting down to a holiday feast, those with diabetes should remember to drink plenty of water and never go into a meal over hungry for fear of eating too much and upsetting blood sugar levels. In addition, alcohol consumption should be avoided or closely monitored, depending on a doctor?s recommendation, as alcohol can lower blood sugar and effect how diabetes medications are processed in the body.

Come prepared

With every pending holiday season, there is much to prepare and plan for when getting ready for a large family get together or much-needed holiday getaway. And while it?s important to make a list of holiday or travel must-haves, medical professionals hasten to add that for diabetics, being medically prepared is equally as important.

?If you are going away for the holidays, make sure to bring plenty of your medications, your insulin, your blood sugar machine and your testing supplies with you. Even bring extras if you can as shops are often closed or have different hours of operation over the holidays,? Williams suggests.

Williams also strongly promotes checking blood sugar levels more often than usual during the holidays. With variations in diet, daily routine, stress levels and sleep, Williams says it?s easy for blood sugar levels to spike or lower below the appropriate levels in patients with diabetes.

Make time for proper exercise, rest and recovery

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends planning for at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night during the holiday season as sleep loss or deprivation can make it harder for the body to control blood sugar. The CDC cites that sleep deprived individuals tend to eat more and prefer high-fat, high-sugar foods, which can spell added trouble for those with diabetes.

Additionally, the American Diabetes Association recommends getting daily exercise, especially during the holidays as it can help relieve stress and promote efficient blood flow throughout the body.

?Understand how stress effects you and your diabetes,? reminds Williams, saying stress is a key factor in properly managing the disease. ?Don?t overdue it. If you feel yourself being stretched a little too thin, don?t sign up for more than you need to.?

Klopfenstein agrees, saying that changing the main focus of many holiday gatherings may be helpful for some trying to manage diabetes and stress levels.

?We all reward ourselves with food and make our holidays center largely around food, which doesn?t have to be the case,? says Klopfenstein. ?Taking the primary focus off food and making it more about spending time with family, playing games or doing some kind of healthy activity are really important. Just doing that can curb a lot of the issues that we see diabetics struggle with around the holidays in terms of managing their health.?

Reach out when help is needed

During the holiday months, both Williams and Klopfenstein insist that many diabetics struggle with health management, but that it?s nothing to get discouraged about. In fact, they suggest keeping an open line of communication with a doctor is important.

Additionally, Williams suggests finding local diabetes support groups to join, which can provide a community of like-minded individuals to provide comfort and understanding in living with diabetes.

For more information on such groups or to learn more about diabetes management, contact the HCHC Diabetes Department at 319-385-6518.