Holidays! Holidays! Here we go again. People with diabetes remember No anxiety! Thanksging/Christmas season is fun! Don’t worry! There is an easy way to cope with diabetes.
Plan ahead of time what you are going to eat and how much. Ask your friend or family what they are making for dinner. If you are the one cooking thanksgiving or Christmas dinner think about having more vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, lettuce and fewer potatoes. Choose fruits that work with your blood sugar. Try making light dessert with less sugar. Prepare lean meats, like turkey, skinless chicken! Have food that won’t raise your blood sugar when you are cooking and share with your friends. Let your friends know that healthy foods are good for everybody especially those who are at risk of developing diabetes.
10 Fast Tips for Managing Diabetes at
Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner:

1) Plan ahead what and how much you are going to eat!
2) Have foods that won’t raise your blood sugar.
3) Don’t deprive, moderate consumption is key!
4) Enjoy those special holiday foods in moderation. Stay away from the everyday foods like crackers and dip. Small portions of your favorite special holiday foods are key.
5) At parties and other social events, gravitate toward the veggies and fresh fruit.
6) Make water your beverage of choice. You can also have diet soda or a “Fruit Punch”. Try the recipe below. Drink alcohol in moderation, be sure to have something to eat along with it.
7) Add additional exercise to compensate for what you eat!
8) Always check your blood sugar!
9) Be positive. Get some sleep! Remember: Don’t let your diabetes control you ! You must control it!
10) Celebrate! Celebrate! And don’t forget to give thanks and have a good time with family and friends.

Helpful Holiday Hints- The December Decisions


 

Finally, December is here. The Thanksgiving celebration is the opening act to the grand finale of the holiday season, along with ringing in the New Year! By now we have set our goals and realize just how important our health is the whole year through. Why spend so much effort all year to let a mere 40 days upend all your hard work. We know we can celebrate in style, enjoy the festivities, enjoy the foods and flavors of family traditions, and still keep our goals in sight. One does not counteract the other. It only requires the same prioritizing we do all year long.
Diabetes and its’ management is not a short term project. It is a commitment to yourself for the long run. Learning to manage all the aspects of diabetes is no easy task, but with small steps, support and the realization that when done the quality of life you will enjoy, can help you accept the challenges now. The holidays can certainly test our discipline but if you can look beyond the immediate, come up with a concrete plan, allow yourself to enjoy all the holidays have to offer beyond the kitchen table, then you will experience the true holiday spirit we look forward to all year long.
So in spite of all the rich desserts, the tables laden with food and the many opportunities to overeat, check out this holiday survival guide to dodge the holiday pitfalls. After all, we look forward to these rich celebration foods all year long and forgoing them just isn’t an option. Use these tips to help you eat, drink and be merry!
 Select and savor the most festive foods- choose the ones you typically do not eat the rest of the year- the most treasured recipes- and enjoy each and every bite.
 Plan ahead so you don’t feel pressured to eat every thing served. Remember overeating is not planned but spontaneous, so reminding yourself you don’t have to taste everything helps to remove that spontaneity and gives you back the control.
 Navigate the table so you know what’s available before beginning to pile it on your plate. Choose smaller portions of the richest foods so you enjoy those holiday favorites without the guilt later on.
 Recreate some of those traditional recipes making them delicious and nutritious; preserve the flavors that make those family favorites such a tradition.
 Have fun! Enjoy the people, the conversation and the good cheer!

Try the recipe below. It is colorful, tasty and a healthy option. Perhaps it will become a family favorite!

CRANBERRY STUFFED SQUASH
12 servings
INGREDIENTS
3 acorn squash (or butternut or any winter squash)
2 cups minced onion
1 cup chopped fresh celery, minced
1 tsp. canola oil
3 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp. grated orange peel
½ cup orange juice
½ cup maple syrup
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 0. Oil a large flat baking pan or spray with vegetable oil spray.
Slice each squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Rinse off.
Place squash cut side down, cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
In a saucepan, on medium heat, sauté onions and celery in oil for 10 minutes until softened.
Add cranberries and lower heat; simmer until cranberries have popped, about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in applesauce, orange peel, orange juice and maple syrup.
(The filling should be tart- add enough syrup to offset the sourness of cranberries.)
Remove squash from oven and turn halves over.
Fill each cavity with rounded ½ cup of filling.
Bake, uncovered, for 30-45 minutes, until well done.



NUTRITION INFORMATION
Calories: 125
Total Fat: 0.6 grams
Saturated Fat: 0.1 grams