How to keep your blood glucose under control during the festive season
The festive season is just days away. A season not known for abstinence, this can often prove a challenge for people with diabetes.
The festive season is a time for indulging. While some people may worry about their weight, people with diabetes may worry even more about their blood glucose. Despite the excesses, people with diabetes should feel free to indulge during the festive season. After a year of day-in day-out therapy management, they sure have earnt it! Nevertheless, certain things must be taken into account.
1. Measure regularly: stress and anticipation influence blood glucose.
The build up to the festive season can be stressful: shopping for gifts, planning menus, organising family events and much more. Being mindful of how stress can affect blood glucose is important for people with diabetes. Try to find as much joy as possible, and avoid unnecessary stress such as last minute gift purchases! Anticipation and excitement can also lead of elevated blood glucose levels in children. For this reason, blood glucose should be particularly well monitored before and during the festive season.
2. Home baking: use artificial sweeteners and wholemeal flour.
Why not try and bake some biscuits at home? You can find plenty of recipes that use sugar alternatives. Furthermore, you could try swapping white flour for wholemeal flour. As with all baking, be sure to follow the recipe exactly.
3. Stay active: exercise is good for body and soul.
We tend to exercise a little less than usual during the festive season. As exercise has a positive effect on blood glucose, it is particularly important during the festive season. Long walks have two advantages: they keep you physically fit and, whether or not with your friends and family, are relaxing and enjoyable.
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