With the Holidays approaching, we want you to focus on family and fun and not on your sugar intake. Here are several Dos and Don’ts to help you do this on Thanksgiving!

🥧Time to Eat!

The bulk of Thanksgiving is about coming together over a great meal to spend time with family and friends. The abundance of food choices can be overwhelming, and it can easily feel like there’s no healthy option in front of you that isn’t going to make your sugars rise. However, there are healthy options, and they are likely right in front of you!

🥔 Using a Plate Method can help you create a plate with the right foods, making a balanced meal. Filling half of your plate with vegetables (i.e., carrots and green beans), one-fourth of your plate with grains (i.e., stuffing, sweet potatoes, or mashed potatoes), and the other one-fourth of your plate with protein (i.e., lean turkey) should be in the back of your mind.

🥧Food to avoid during Thanksgiving

Below are some common Thanksgiving foods that should be avoided and some alternatives:

  • Avoid casseroles, instead fill up on non-starchy vegetables
  • Avoid mashed potatoes, instead try mashed cauliflower
  • Limit bread or rolls to maybe 1 serving
  • Avoid sugary beverages, instead try zero-sugar soda or water

🤔What can I do during Thanksgiving besides eating healthy food?

People are doing exercise in park

🚴🏻‍♀️ Exercise is a great way to maintain your blood sugars any day of the year, but why not have some fun around Thanksgiving time and do a Turkey Trot with those you celebrate with? Get outside to take a walk after dinner, or throw around a football during halftime of the game. Including physical activity in your day can help offset those extra treats, lower your blood sugar, and improve your A1C levels.

💦 Staying hydrated! Drinking a soda or a sugary drink with your Thanksgiving meal can double your carbohydrate intake, so if possible, opt for some water instead. Other drinks that won’t raise your blood sugar include unsweetened tea or coffee (or tea or coffee with artificial sweeteners), diet or zero-sugar sodas, sparkling water, and flavored water enhancers.

💊 Take your medications and monitor your blood sugars all day! It may seem obvious and simple, but it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself on Thanksgiving. If you are unsure or not confident in making adjustments or monitoring your blood sugars during the holidays, have a conversation with your provider.

Summary
Thanksgiving is a time for food, family, and celebration, but it can also be a challenge for those managing diabetes. This article guides healthy choices during the holiday, from building a balanced plate to choosing diabetes-friendly drinks. You’ll learn what foods to avoid, smart alternatives, and ways to stay active, like participating in a Turkey Trot. Tips for monitoring your blood sugar, taking medications, and staying hydrated will help you keep your blood sugars stable without missing out on the festivities.