The holiday season is one of the most exciting times of the year, but for those with diabetes, it can also be difficult. All the extra meals, gatherings, and special foods can make managing your diabetes more challenging than normal. You may want to meet with your primary care physician to put together a diabetes management plan, but here are a few ideas for where to start. 

3 Diabetes Management Tips for the Holidays

1. Keep a Schedule

Keeping a consistent eating schedule is always important in diabetes management, but it's even more crucial during the holidays, when food is served more frequently and at inconsistent or unusual times. If you're at a holiday gathering and the meal isn't going to be done until later than your usual meal time, it's a good idea to grab a snack at your regularly scheduled time and eat slightly less once the meal is done. This can help keep your blood sugar consistent without you having to miss out on the group meal. 

2. Avoid Alcohol

While you're probably already taking steps to limit your alcohol consumption throughout the year, the holiday season can be one of the hardest. With all different types of celebrations happening, there's bound to be all kinds of alcohol available to you, making it easier to say yes to more booze than you probably should. If you're unsure about how much alcohol you should be consuming, ask your primary care physician, and try not to exceed that amount during the holidays. 

3. Mind the Carbs

The holiday season is replete with high-carbohydrate foods to pile your plate with. Unfortunately, this may also mean you have some hard choices to make. Know how many carbs you should be eating each day, and try to plan your holiday meals to accommodate that. It may mean cutting back on mashed potatoes to save room for a slice of pie, but it will help you feel better in the long run. Also try to include more nutritious vegetables in your recipes to supplement your diet without adding too many extra carbs.

If you're a diabetic looking for a primary care physician to help you plan your holiday season diet, reach out to Affinity Health Group in Monroe, LA. For 15 years, this clinic has helped patients with their diets, medications, and diagnosis needs. Learn more about their diabetes care services online, and call (318) 807-4900 to schedule a visit.