In today’s busy schedule, we get quite less opportunity to mingle with friends and family. But whatever time we spend with them, it is always filled with endless quantities of alcohol, sweets, and other carbohydrate-laden food. However, for some of us who have to manage diabetes along with the celebration; it becomes a tough task to accomplish.
Overview
Diabetes has been declared to be the global threat and one of the greatest contribution of the economic burden on the globe. It is a type of metabolic, autoimmune disorder, which can affect almost every vital organ of the body; if not managed properly for a longer period of time.
If you are diabetic or a prediabetic, managing your diabetes, especially in the holiday season has always been your top priority. At the same time, since you are struggling with the difficult to manage diabetes; doesn’t mean that you have to restrict yourself from getting involved in your favorite holiday tradition.
In this regard, having a basic understanding of diabetes can help you to achieve your goal in keeping your blood glucose under control and delay the progression of cardiovascular disorders, stroke, and other major issues.
1. A for the A1C level
The test can detect an average blood glucose level over the past couple of months. The A1C or glycated hemoglobin is a receptor for blood glucose, through which the sugar molecule gets attached with hemoglobin. The red blood cells or hemoglobin are further involved in the transportation of blood glucose from the blood to different cells; in order to fulfill their metabolic demands. The diagnostic test confirms a number of free A1C residues, and if it goes beyond 9% that means your diabetes is out of control. In order to manage diabetes, it is obvious that you need to maintain your A1C level on or below 6%.
2. B for blood pressure
High blood pressure can increase multiple complications associated with diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy and diabetic foot. It has also been very evident that people diabetes can eventually face issues related to blood pressure, such as circulation and heart issues.
People who are suffering from chronic diabetes should try to maintain their blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg.
3. C for cholesterol
Human bodies have to deal with two types of blood pressure as of now, such as LDL and HDL. Bad cholesterol can be responsible for clogging of deposits in the arteries leading to atherosclerosis, whereas HDL can be noted as a good cholesterol that further assists in cleaning clogged arteries to pass on maximum oxygenated blood towards the heart.
Thus, you can manage diabetes and live a stress-free life by keeping your bad cholesterol under control.
4. Stop smoking
Quitting smoking is useful to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, nerve damage, and kidney damage. Smoking is also being identified to be as the leading culprit, responsible for increasing blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Your ABCs can be tracked daily to help you manage diabetes, effectively.
Moreover, certain health goals described herewith can be helpful for our readers to cope up with the issue and survive the holidays in a more efficient and healthy manner.
5. Maintain your daily routine
You may be quite easily get distracted from your routine plan, during holiday seasons. By being sure that you are emphasizing more on your regular eating as well as exercise schedule; you tend to minimize the risk of consuming unhealthy food and risk of avoiding daily exercise schedule.
6. Exercise should be your priority
For people who are managing their diabetes it is very essential to keep up with their routine exercise schedule; even in case of holidays. You need to make a commitment towards it, just like fixing up any other important appointment; which should be canceled.
7. Learn to say “no”
If you are too busy with your social as well as work obligations; then it is highly essential for you to simplify your schedule or learn to say no! This will help you to dedicate more time towards the maintenance of your routine. It is not necessary to attend every holiday meeting or even if you are OK with it, learning to say no is essential to prevent unnecessary indulgence into alcohol, and other junk food.
8. Eat before the party
It is always better to fill up your empty stomach with nutritious and healthy diet that you tend to follow routinely. Especially, if the invitation is for dinner, you need to stick to your diabetic dinner; in order to prevent unnecessary overeating or binging.
9. You need to be choosy while enjoying holiday food
In order to manage diabetes means you need to stick to your healthy eating as well as workout plans. However, that doesn’t mean you should stop enjoying your holidays or getting mixed up with friends and families. Instead of being dependent upon crackers, bread, cookies as well as pasta; you can better enjoy fresh fruits, shrimp, sweet potatoes, beef roast etc.
In short, a variety of healthy options are available, which can be enjoyed with the same pleasure and enthusiasm.
10. Avoid alcohol
Alcohol is a form of sugar that readily reacts in the body and is being absorbed in the blood at a faster rate. Drinking a moderate amount of alcohols regularly can create a sudden spike in the blood sugar level, and overdoing the same or neglecting it for a longer period of time can lead to a potential crash in the blood sugar level. You can just be a part of the festivities, enjoy a healthy meal and non-alcoholic beverages that are healthy as well as delicious.
11. Don’t skip meals
Being a diabetic, you should never avoid meal; as skipping meals in between can lead to a sudden reduction in the blood sugar level. Which will further make you more likely to overeat unhealthy food items. Thus, you have to be sure that you are taking out some time to eat healthy snacks all day long.
12. Plan fun holiday activities
There are many holiday activities that are concentric towards food and beverages only; of course that is an inseparable part of the holiday. However, you can also enjoy other activities such as ice skating, swimming, tree trimming, sitting in front of the fireplace etc. in order to divert your attention from food and manage diabetes.
