5 Ways to Celebrate a Diabetes-Friendly Thanksgiving
As families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, Team Select is here to help you and your loved ones with diabetes, celebrate a diabetes-friendly Thanksgiving with these 5 tips during American Diabetes Month!
Be smart about carbs
Skip the traditional mashed potatoes and provide your guests and family with mashed sweet potato, quinoa, or brown rice.
“When people with diabetes eat foods high in carbs, their blood sugar levels can surge. High carb intake typically requires high doses of insulin or diabetes medication to manage blood sugar.” – Healthline
Other low-carb Thanksgiving dishes can include a cauliflower mash, a large side salad filled with nuts and berries, and squash. Check out this in-depth article that might inspire you, 42 Low-Carb Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Serve with Your Turkey.
More protein
Pile on the turkey and protein! Cooking a diabetes-friendly Thanksgiving can help prevent those with diabetes from increasing their blood sugar levels by consuming more protein-based dishes. Some protein dishes to incorporate can be:
- Brussel sprouts
- A classic turkey
- Deviled eggs
- Beef Wellington
- Meatloaf
- Crusted fish
- Think out of the box when it comes to desserts
“People with diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or their cells do not respond to the hormone appropriately. This causes blood glucose levels to become too high. Simple sugars tend to raise blood glucose levels faster and higher than complex carbohydrates, such as whole wheat and oatmeal.” – Medical News Today
Baking a healthier option for dessert would help create a diabetes-friendly Thanksgiving and we have all the ideas for still making your desserts just as yummy!
- Sugar-free cookies
- Yogurt and fruit parfaits
- Angel food cake
- Pumpkin bars
Check out more delicious dessert ideas and the full recipes at www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/g28690429/diabetic-thanksgiving-dessert-recipes/.
Encourage a post-turkey walk
Encouraging everyone to get up and get moving after a meal is great not only for those with health concerns but for the whole family!
“Although light walking at any time is good for your health, a short walk within 60 to 90 minutes of eating a meal can be especially useful in minimizing blood sugar spikes, as that is when blood sugar levels tend to peak.´- NY Times
ENJOY!
Team Select is so thankful for each and every one of our patients, families, team members, and community partners! We encourage you all to spend Thanksgiving with those you love and have a grand time.