Fresh Focus #13: Taste of the Holidays

The holidays can be a magical time, but how often do you get excited and then when they roll around fears about your health start to creep into your head?  If you are a person with Diabetes you might also worry about controlling blood sugars. These are completely common thoughts, but the holidays don’t have to be a time for throwing in the towel on all the hard work you’ve done the rest of the year. Season three of the Fresh Focus Podcast was created by Marion VA Healthcare System Diabetes Educators to help you tackle the holidays of 2020! We understand it is a challenging one, and there are new modifications this year that will include smaller gatherings for 2-6 people. This year, instead of making a large turkey, you might find yourself utilizing an herb roasted turkey breast instead. The same way you could try mini pumpkin pie-lets for a change to reduce the overall calories and carbs while still getting your pie fix.   For people with Diabetes, when you choose to eat all of your calories and carbohydrates at one meal you are taking a chance of having hypoglycemia or low blood sugar during the day. Then there is a possibility to have hyperglycemia or high blood sugar after eating too much that night with one large meal. Take a listen while Kerri goes through these key points in controlling that type of blood sugar roller coaster!   1.       Eat consistently and not skip meals during to prevent overeating at that holiday meal due to not eating the rest of the day. 2.       Remember to always take your medications as ordered. 3.      Utilize the healthy plate method even on the holidays to help fill your plate with all those good foods. Bring a delicious holiday inspired salad to the meal for a pop of green and bright red at the meal.