Celebrating St. Patrick's Day the Diabetic Friendly Way

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Celebrating St. Patrick's Day, or any other holiday, can be difficult for individuals with diabetes. However, there are simple ways that you can ensure a healthy and happy St. Patrick's Day - the diabetic friendly way.

St. Patrick's Day: The Schedule

One part of being diabetic is the constant need for scheduled eating to maintain proper levels of blood sugar. This can be increasingly difficult during any holiday.  However, it is just as important to schedule your eating times and the amount eaten on holidays as it is any other day of the year. By determining the holiday schedule, it will be easier to control overall food intake.

St. Patrick's Day: Menu Examination

Once you have determined the schedule for St. Patrick's Day, you should take the time to examine what the menu will consist of. It is important to remember that diabetes is no cause to rework the planning of an entire menu, but it may require some fine tuning. There are many small adjustments that can serve to have drastic effects on the amounts of sugar located within specific food items.

• Sugar: When possible, exchange sugar in recipes for alternative natural sweeteners.
• Substitute: Often, foods that contain high amounts of fats and calories are accompanied by higher amounts of sugar. Substitute these foods for the lower calorie or lower fat options.
• Indulge: It is ok to eat your favorite holiday menu item, just do so in moderation.
• Meal Plan: Before you fill your plate, browse all options and make your selections carefully.

Make Healthy Food Choices

Knowing what to eat and even how much to eat can serve for confusion and frustration. On holidays, there are many food choices, and it is up to you to decipher what is and what is not good for you. The following is a list of tips to help aid in the process of choosing healthy foods. However, it is also important to remember not to deprive yourself. Certain foods can be substituted for and eaten in moderation. As a diabetic, there is technically no food that is off limits.

• Moderation is key: Try a small sample of many things rather than larger portions of specific items. Variety is the spice of life and is also good for your diabetic diet.
• Color rainbow: Choose foods from all colors of the rainbow, particularly fruits and vegetables.
• Whole grain: Look for whole grain foods over grain products that have been processed.
• Dessert: Look carefully through the dessert options and pick the top few that look the most desirable. Take a small portion of each and avoid seconds.
• Drinks: Choose drinks that are calorie free. Avoid the fruit punch and sugar sweetened drinks. Water is always a safe and healthy choice.

Holidays with Diabetes

It is essential for your overall general health that you control and maintain healthy and regular blood sugar levels every day of the year. Don't leave your health and blood sugar levels to the luck of the Irish, enjoy St. Patrick's Day the diabetic friendly way and enjoy foods in moderation.

Source:

http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp