Abby Blaustein is a Certified Diabetes Educator and Registered
Dietitian who leads Novo Nordisk’s Garden State Educator team, which
comprises 11 passionate Diabetes Educators of varied backgrounds.
Below, Abby and the team offer some healthy eating tips and
suggestions for the holidays. Most are tips that have helped them
get through the holiday season over the years.
- Before heading out to holiday parties, eat a high-protein,
low-carb, high-fiber snack so you’re not as hungry and less likely
to overindulge.
- Don’t skip meals to save up for a big feast
- you may spike your blood sugar and be more likely to
overeat.
- Keep track of your nutrition and activity and use
resources such as Cornerstones4Care.com or Diabetes
360 to keep you motivated.
- For the holidays and any
time of year - to avoid end-of-the-day overeating, don’t wear
clothes with an elastic waistband. Instead, wear jeans or tighter
clothes as a reminder to keep portions small :)
- Be holiday
road ready! Pack healthy snacks while traveling instead of eating
at rest stops.
- Embrace meaningful mini-traditions like
lighting candles and sipping no-calorie spiced tea.
- When
doing holiday cooking, consider healthier substitutions in recipes.
For example, look for new recipe ideas using cauliflower instead of
potatoes or rice.
- Spritz up your drink - top off a
half-filled wine glass with calorie/carb- free seltzer or club soda
for fewer calories/less alcohol and a little added zip!
- Drink a glass of water before your meal to help you feel fuller
and eat the vegetables and protein foods before the carbohydrates;
this can help you eat less carbohydrates.
- You can have your
cake and eat it too -just not with your potatoes and stuffing. Make
room for the carbs you want at the holiday meal by planning ahead.
If you really want the dessert, eat only the protein entree and
low-carb vegetables, then add in your dessert carbs staying within
your mealtime carbohydrate goal.
Don’t underestimate the impact of holiday stress and excitement on
your blood sugar! Among overspending, finding the “perfect” gifts for
everyone, and extra to-do lists, it all adds up! Reduce stress by
sticking to your holiday budget, asking for help with chores, making
time for plenty of sleep and physical activity, and not over-stressing
if your blood sugars aren’t perfect.
Most importantly, remember the reason for the season! The holidays
are about spending quality time with friends and family and creating
new memories!