Gopal Debnath – Christmas is a time for merrymaking. The streets come alive with the sound of carols, cities twinkle with light, fake snow and baubles festoon giant Christmas trees at malls, parks and in homes and the festive spirit is everywhere. It is a time for families to come together, a time for dances, for parties and of course, for food.
What would Christmas be without food? Nothing says Christmas like all those yummy treats – plum cakes, marzipan, puddings, fudge, toffee and gingerbread biscuits.
It’s easy to get swept up in the Christmas spirit and be tempted by all the treats. But for diabetics especially, it is important to watch their sugar intake.
That doesn’t mean they have to miss out completely. Instead, they can still make the most of Christmas thanks to some quick tips and tricks like adapting recipes so that they are more balanced, controlling portion sizes and getting more exercise.
Choose delicacies with natural sweeteners: The high sugar content in our Christmas sweets make them a no-no for diabetics. But that doesn’t mean they have to forgo sweets altogether. You can always substitute traditional sweets with those made with natural sugar alternatives. Sweets made with jaggery, dates and figs are great options, with these natural sweeteners rich in iron, healthy and packed with energy.
Embrace Healthy Lifestyle: It’s important to watch your waistline especially with so much rich, decadent food around. Wake up early, get some exercise in and you’ll feel a lot healthier and a lot less guilty about helping yourself to that extra piece of marzipan.
Controlling portion size & timing: Eat in moderation and avoid bingeing between meals or eating late at night. Smaller portion sizes help in maintaining the blood sugar levels of diabetics. In addition, consumption of limited portion sizes should be at regular intervals to avoid any health-related complications.
Select Healthy Food: Everyone thinks that all sweets are unhealthy. However, there are numerous healthy options available in the market that aren’t just good for you but also taste just as delicious. Another myth is that healthy food is expensive. It’s not. There are plenty of options that are healthy, delicious and affordable.
Timely health check-ups: Timely and regular health check-ups are recommended, especially blood sugar level tests that can detect diabetes. A quick medical intervention can be initiated only if it is diagnosed on time.
In conclusion, yes, food is an important part of festivities. And while it’s okay to indulge, it’s important to be conscious of what you eat.
Article authored by Dr Varsha Khatry, Head- Medical and Scientific Affair, Roche Diabetes Care India.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and they do not reflect in any way those of Roche Diabetes Care India Pvt. Ltd.
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