Diabetes & the Holidays

If you have diabetes, the holidays can be a challenging time when it comes to making healthier choices related to food and activity. Rich foods, travel, spending time with family and friends can make the holidays a challenge as they can be very different from the routines that many people with diabetes follow.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be difficult and that you can enjoy some of the things that others without diabetes are able to enjoy. The goal is to make healthier choices, not perfect choices. Below are some healthier choices if you or your loved ones have diabetes.

• Make sure you are up to date with all of your diabetes related screenings (that includes office visits, eye exams, dental exams and laboratory testing)

• Be active by finding ways to move more and sit less. Make it fun and invite others to move with you!

• Understand how certain foods impact your blood sugars and ways to incorporate more nutritious foods. (This blog post from Emily Littlejohn has some great tips.)

• Don’t forget the respiratory illnesses that increase during the holiday season and take appropriate, individualized precautions (which includes vaccinations against COVID and flu and other measures).

• Reach out and connect to family and friends. Share your experiences and desire to make healthier choices during the holidays. You may be surprised that many are also wanting to make healthier choices.

If you have diabetes, you can plan to enjoy your holidays without focusing on deprivation. Get support. Reframe the health choices as a way of enhancing the celebration.

Learn how to enjoy the holidays while keeping your diabetes under control