Nov. 18, 2024 — The holiday season brings gatherings with family and friends, which leads to various celebrations involving food. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, challenges can arise from the overwhelming feeling of how to manage your diagnosis while trying to make memories with loved ones.
This National Diabetes Month, Publix dietitians answer questions about navigating your meal planning and enjoying the holidays without the pressure or fear of overindulgence.
What is the first step in managing my meals?
Start by building a shopping list with all the holiday ingredients you need from Publix. This will help you control what ingredients go into your meals.
Should I skip meals to avoid overeating?
No. Skipping meals can cause irregularity in your blood glucose levels. It is important to continue to eat meals normally so you do not overeat during the main meal of the day.
How do I manage carbohydrates during the holidays?
You can still enjoy carbohydrates during the holidays. Bring a carb smart dish to your next holiday party so you can have control and feel confident knowing how many carbohydrates are in the dish. Publix corporate chefs have worked closely with Publix dietitians to offer a variety of side dishes that monitor the amount of carbohydrates within each recipe.
Need help picking a side to bring? Here are a couple of recipe ideas to make during the holidays:
Do I need to say ‘no’ to dessert?
Don’t avoid the dessert! Yes, it is perfectly OK for you to eat dessert, but always be mindful of the portion size and timing of your dessert after consuming a meal. It is all about balance, so if you plan to have dessert, consider the carbohydrates consumed in your meal and the size of your indulgence.
Try this dessert recipe during the holidays:
The holidays are so busy that I don’t have time for a workout!
Move your body, even if it is a short walk. Small movements can change blood glucose levels, so walking by yourself or with family or friends after celebrations is important to keep your blood glucose levels stable. Physical activity can affect each person differently, so always check with your health care provider first.
Have more questions?
The Publix corporate dietitians are happy to help. You can email them at publix.dietitian@publix.com or visit the Dietitian Services page for more information.