GUY’S GOTTA TALK ABOUT…TYPE 2 DIABETES #27: Eating For Holiday Cheer WITHOUT The Sugar Rush...

I started my Breast Cancer, Alzheimer's, and Type 2 Diabetes blog thirteen years ago. While many people are happy to talk about their experiences with diabetes, I WASN’T comfortable with talking about diabetes. My wife is Type 2, as are several friends of ours. The “other Type” of diabetes was what caused the death of my Best Man a year after my wife and I got married. He was diagnosed with diabetes when he was a kid. It was called Juvenile Diabetes then. Today it’s Type 1. Since then, I haven’t WANTED to talk about diabetes at all. But…for my own education and maybe helping someone else, and not one to shut up for any known reason, I reopened my blog rather than starting a new one. I have taken pauses to write about Breast Cancer or Alzheimer’s as medical headlines dictated; but this time I’m going to drag anyone along who wants to join my HIGHLY RELUCTANT journey toward better understanding of my life with Type 2 Diabetes. You’re Welcome to join me!I’m sure you’ve got all of your “hacks” for surviving the holiday Food Onslaught! I’m aware of it this year because my wife and I had our FIRST big party – making and decorating sugar cookies, Russian teacakes, with tacos afterward…

Haven’t taken my blood sugars yet, but I’m sure they won’t be great! My stomach is rumbling as well, so it inspired me to do a bit of work for myself, and I’ll share with you:

The A-1 thing to do during the holidays is to PLAN AHEAD! Your eleven-year-old granddaughter can eat six cookies and burn it off the next day. My 67-year-old metabolism DON’T WORK THAT WAY ANYMORE!

Make fruits and veggies a BIGGER part of our holidays than usual; and I CAN make them good so OTHERS will join me in eating healthier.

I need to pay Attention to how MUCH I’m eating.

I’ve tried the “fast-and-binge” method and it doesn’t work well for me – ON THE OTHER HAND, the “ignore-what-I’m-eating-and-it-will-all-go-away” hasn’t been particularly helpful, either.

I need to make sure I DRINK WATER! In our place, with three grandchildren, six kids and their spouses – we lay on the cases of soda. I should be drinking SOME water, at least!

I SHOULD test the blood sugars regularly – the problem with it is that I only get so many test strips each cycle (that insurance pays for), so I have to stick (no pun intended) with taking it once a day. My wife’s got a constant glucose monitor, so that’s one thing she can do regularly!

If I work to spread out the KINDS of carbs I'm indulging in and MAYBE avoid eating 18 sugar cookies with frosting or two bowls of chocolate-dipped pretzels, it's safe to say I might survive the days with only mild sugar rushes. Steer toward oatmeal-raisin cookies, maybe broccoli instead of corn, and bring a lentil stew for everyone to enjoy.

When I toast in the New Year – I can work hard to control the amount. I don’t NEED a bottle of champagne when a fluted glass will do just fine!

One thing about youngsters during the holidays, they WANT to be out in the snow! I'm planning to join them this time (if we have more than a dusting) But we don't have to PLAY in it! It doesn't have to be a LONG walk, but even 10 minutes after a big meal helps. Invite EVERYONE to join you when you're staying active around the holidays.

If the holidays bring sadness with them – and they often do – I need to be aware of that and make a plan for doing something thoughtful that reminds me of happier days. The holidays are SUPPOSED to be a celebration of the things we hold dear. What can WE do or ask others to HELP US DO that will add a spark of peace to the holidays?

Finally, from THE STRAWBERRY POST: Here to Entertain, Educate & Inspire!

“Diabetes isn’t meant to stop you enjoying Christmas, but it’s good to be aware of what can happen during this time. So please be aware in the lead up to Christmas and make sure that you know what could occur and how to fix it so you can enjoy the day as much as possible.”

"Colorful holiday plate on a table: put a new emphasis on DECORATION instead of solely on FOOD."

"Some fairly easy things to try, is to ask your significant others to eat close to your usual times to keep your blood sugar steady.

"Eat a small snack at your usual mealtime if needed and have a little less when dinner is served.

"NO FOOD IS ON THE NAUGHTY LIST! Act like you want to STAY healthy, happy, and wise!

"Hosting? Introduce a tasty NEW and healthy dish.

"Plan your carb choices in advance. For example, if you're going to have sweets, cut back on other carbs like potatoes, bread, or pasta dishes, and take one cookie at a time, circulate, then go BACK for another. I RARELY need to eat a bowl of eight or nine sugar cookies!

"Don't skip meals to save up for a feast. (When you're really hungry you might overeat.)

"When you face a spread of delicious holiday food, make healthy choices easier:
First: fill half your plate with vegetables, then be reasonable with the other half!

Eat slowly. It takes at least 20 minutes for your brain to realize you're full, so set your phone to vibrate and stop.

Drink water!

LASTLY: YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ALL OF THESE AT THE SAME TIME!!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL!

Resources During The Holidays: https://our.today/wellness-watch-how-to-maintain-your-diet-as-a-diabetic-during-the-christmas-season/ ; https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/better-me/how-can-i-manage-my-diabetes-and-still-enjoy-the-holidays
Image: https://thestrawberrypost.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/table-with-christmas-decoration-and-food.jpg