Diabetes Holidays and Diabetes Blood Sugar Levels

The holidays could be a bleak and miserable time for those who suffer from diabetes. You might find it hard to keep your blood sugar levels even, if you have a family that gathers at holidays and everyone cooks and bakes.

Change in Eating Habits

During the holidays, your eating habits change; there is more enticement, more activities, and sometimes a severe increase in stress and depression. You can become successful through the holidays with diabetes with careful planning. Preparing for the additional stress and food temptations will let you to enjoy your holiday.

Speak with your Friends

It’s vital to talk to your friends and relatives prior to the event. Alternatives to sweets can be recommended and parties and gatherings could focus on other activities in addition to eating. Still, if you are prepared you and your loved ones may still gather round and have a wonderful holiday.

If you have a child that goes to school, the teachers and aides need to understand and be sensitive to the needs of your child. It is possible to plan parties and events with healthy snacks. Foods can be arranged with no sugar and low in fats. Many stores offer a broad variety of sugar free snacks and sweets. Decorating or making gifts for family might be an alternative to parties focused on food.

Change in Traditions

Some families have changed traditions and appointed diverse areas of a room for games and other fun activities. This keeps them from eating, then becoming a coach potato! A jigsaw puzzle corner, board games, and even a sing along can allow the family to concentrate on something other than food.

Blood Sugar Levels

Blood sugar levels will need to be monitored more often during the holidays. Many events and stress can make sugar levels swing. You may not recognize how your activity can be reflected in your blood sugar. Planning in advance, taking some extra insulin, or being prepared for a sudden drop in glucose, will save you some time and possible problems.

A child is more likely to have these level swings because of enthusiasm and expectation, and the joy of the holiday. By checking readings often, you are prepared for the noticeable changes that will occur in blood sugar levels.

Especially watch for low sugar levels, although you may think that eating a piece of candy or pie would usually raise them. Excitement and stimulation can cause a sudden drop of blood sugar levels, and it is best to be prepared for that event. Your body responds to excitement and stimulation likewise it does to exercise.

Diabetes Holidays and Exercise

Speaking of exercise, it’s important to make exercise an important part of your holiday. Don’t let cold weather and busyness keep you from getting the right amount of exercise. Take walks, go ice-skating, or any other pleasant activity you prefer. Exercise will help you keep your blood sugar levels even, but also will help relieve the stress that somehow is part of all holidays.

Relax; holidays can be a great source of fun and family enjoyment. It will take a little more planning but a happy, healthy holiday will be the outcome.

So now you know a little bit about getting through the holiday with Diabetes. Even if you don't know everything, you've done something worthwhile: you've expanded your knowledge.