Celebrating Special Occasions

Birthdays, showers and other special occasions can pose challenges. Stay on track with these simple steps.

Birthdays, baby showers, anniversaries…so much to celebrate and so much cake! You don’t have to pass on all the offerings. You just have to plan for these occasions so they can be as special for you as for everyone else.

Here are five tips to help you manage your diabetes during special occasions:

1. Get off to a good start. Try to eat healthy food choices and not skip meals before the special occasion so that you can arrive less hungry and hopefully with your blood glucose in your target range.
2. Eat before you eat. It might sound strange to snack before you eat, but it’s a great way to curb your appetite and prevent over-eating come mealtime. Low-fat yogurt, cheese and crackers, or a slice of whole-wheat toast with peanut or almond butter are good options.
3. Watch your portions. Remind yourself of the size of individual portions and try to serve yourself. Eat slowly and savour every bite.
4. Opt for sugar-free options.If there’s a sugar-free beverage or dessert, choose that so you can enjoy more carbohydrates in your meal.
5. Make smart choices.Are there grilled or baked options available? Can you get salad dressing on the side or swap out a high-fat condiment? There are healthy and tasty ways to enjoy food, so choose wisely when you can.

Adjusting for a fun occasion here and there is a part of living with diabetes. Just be sure to plan for them and stick to an overall healthy eating plan on the “non-special” days in-between.

 

Reference:

 

WebMD. (n.d.). Diabetes: How to Celebrate With Sweets the Smart Way. Retrieved March, 2021, from https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/celebration-tips