November marks the start of the holiday season and it is also Diabetes Awareness Month. If you are one of the millions of Americans who have diabetes, it is important for you to prioritize your health right now.
Have you been working hard to stay on track with managing your diabetes? We’re here to help keep you on this path. We know it can be difficult around the holidays with all the yummy treats and endless amounts of food.
“Prioritizing your health during the holiday season, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is more important now than ever,” says Tracie Henderson, RDN, community clinical dietitian for Bon Secours in Richmond, VA. “Many of our diabetes patients have found the following tips to be helpful in resisting temptation around the holidays and keeping their health on track.”
Plan ahead
- Eat close to your usual times to keep your blood sugar stable.
- Make your own diabetic-friendly dish to enjoy (see below).
- Eat a small, balanced meal or snack before a large meal. This will help satisfy your appetite so you will be less likely to indulge in treats.
Be smart with your plate
- Move away from the buffet area after you fill your plate. Don’t graze.
- Start with eating vegetables to satisfy your initial hunger.
- Don’t feel you have to put every single food option on your plate.
- Indulge by enjoying a small portion of your favorite dishes.
Additional holiday hacks
- Stay physically active by doing it in small, more manageable chunks of time.
- Schedule “me time” to keep your stress level down.
- If you stray away from the healthy eating path, shake it off, pick yourself up and get back on track.
A Diabetic-Friendly Stuffing Recipe
Looking for a traditional holiday dish that is also diabetic-friendly? Look no further than this stuffing recipe. It is sure to be a hit with your loved ones as well.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp light butter
14 oz stuffing bread
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup diced mushrooms
2 to 3 cloves of garlic
2 to 2 1/2 cup chicken broth
1 to 2 tsp poultry seasoning
Pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Heat a large sauté pan. Once heated, add butter and spray with cooking spray. Add carrots and sauté. Add celery, onion, garlic and mushrooms. Add additional cooking spray if needed and continue cooking until veggies are tender. Remove from heat, transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool slightly.
Add bread stuffing to bowl with veggies and toss together. Season with pepper and poultry seasoning. Add chicken broth, mixing until moist but not soaking. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray, then add stuffing mix. Cover with foil; bake 20-25 minutes. Uncover and cook an additional 10 minutes or until slightly crispy on top.
Learn more about the diabetes care services we provide at Bon Secours and find a provider near you.
