(ARA) - During the holiday season people tend to over indulge in the holiday festivities. Food management becomes extremely difficult and most people tend to "slip" on their healthy lifestyles. "While it is appropriate to enjoy the holiday, it is important to prepare for different eating habits so you can stay within reasonable limits and maintain regular glucose monitoring," says Patty Latham, M.S., R.D., diabetes educator at Roche Diagnostics. Roche Diagnostics, maker of ACCU-CHEK products, have developed some helpful tips for healthy holiday management.
• Plan Ahead. Map out what you will want to eat before your holiday celebration dinner and adjust your meals accordingly throughout the day.
• Moderation/Trade-off. Treat yourself to small samples/tastes of your favorite desserts; however, do so within limits. If you know you will want a piece of apple pie or a holiday cookie, work it into your diet by easing down your intake of carbohydrates for the day. (Be sure to check your blood glucose levels afterwards and take the proper measures to stabilize, if necessary.)
• Eat a low-calorie, healthy snack, such as fresh vegetables, before you leave for the celebration. Heading out on an empty stomach will only increase the chances of over-eating.
• Bring a healthy dish or dessert to your holiday celebration. (See recipes below)
• Portion Control. Smaller portions of meals and snacks will give you the ability to eat a wider variety of foods during the holiday season, and all year round. It is okay to indulge on sweets once in a while, but you have to make sure that you splurge on a small scale and adjust appropriately.
• Do Not Binge. One binge, such as a carb-overdose, can drastically increase your blood sugars for three to four days. Elevated blood sugars over an extended period of time can damage your blood vessels and organs. Be sure to maintain healthy blood glucose levels to avoid complications.
• Physical Activity. Regular exercise helps to moderate your blood glucose levels. It is important to engage in physical activities three to four times a week, especially during the holiday season.
Have a happy and healthy holiday!
For more information, visit www.accu-chek.com
Courtesy of ARA Content