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Developing Healthy Habits for the Holidays
Holiday menus can pose challenges to optimal blood glucose control and weight management
Think of last year’s holiday season. What do you remember most about it?
Although traditional holiday foods are special to us, the actual foods we eat are not usually long remembered. Sharing those foods with family and friends, however, often creates lifelong memories.
Holiday menus can pose some challenges to optimal blood glucose control and weight management for many reasons. Problems arise when we don’t know the calorie and carbohydrate content of those seasonal dishes. The Internet offers many resources that can help you identify the nutritional value of foods that don’t have a label. Some reliable sites are www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search, www.calorieking.com and www.nutritiondata.com.
Stress plays a part
The big Thanksgiving meal is not the main cause of weight gain and out-of-control blood glucose levels. It’s the stressful days before and after that are the culprits. Understanding what causes you stress and how to minimize your stress response is important to maintaining good control.
Challenges to blood glucose and weight management
Some things that can make your blood glucose go crazy or cause weight gain especially during the holiday season are:
- Added anxiety about finances, gift shopping, housework, family visits, traveling and entertaining
- Decisions about menu planning, grocery shopping, decorating
- Crowded shops and traffic congestion
- Less time to exercise, prepare meals and eat well because of added obligations
- Less time for outdoor activities and exercise because of the time change
- Less sleep, leading to increased insulin resistance and hunger
- Many changes to daily routines and feeling “out of control”
Strategies for Facing the Holidays
The holidays do not have to cause you undue stress. Your expectations of the holiday season can help make it a positive time, or not. Since you have no control over things like crowds and traffic, focus on the things you can control and enjoy all that the season has to offer. Consider these suggestions:
1. Stay active.
Especially now, don’t stop exercising, although you may have
a bit less time than usual to spend on each exercise session. Exercise
is one area of your life where you can feel “in control.”
It gives you the extra energy that you need, and many people feel that
exercise increases their ability to focus, to think clearly and to make
decisions. If you are planning to join a gym “after the holidays,”
consider doing it now instead. If you were thinking of buying yourself a gift
of some exercise equipment, wouldn’t it be great to be able to use it now?
2. Don’t skip meals. Continue to eat every three to
four hours.
It’s fine to use more convenience foods, such as frozen vegetables,
canned soups and chili, pre-cut fruit, and precooked chicken. A delicatessen
might offer more healthful choices than fast foods.
3. Get at least six hours of quality sleep each night.
By continuing to eat well and exercise you’ll be more productive during
your long, busy day.
4. Develop a budget and set limits to spending.
Decide what you can comfortably afford to spend on gifts and holiday
“extras” to lessen your worries about paying the bills that
will come later.
5. Know your limits and take time for yourself.
Holiday cocktail parties, brunches and office parties can take their toll.
Too much socializing can be tiring and often goes along with overindulging
in high-calorie party foods and alcohol. Remember that you don’t have
to say “yes” to every invitation. Make sure you schedule enough
“down time” for yourself and your family during this hectic season.
Categories: Blood Glucose, Food, Insulin, Nutrition Advice
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