We all know how easy it is to get a little carried away when it comes to enjoying holiday meals and treats. Our focus on having fun and eating good food with family and friends can lead to some slip-ups when it comes to healthy eating. But with the holiday season behind us, it’s time to settle back into better regular habits and recommit to a healthy diet, which is especially important when you have diabetes.
Whether you have diabetes or know someone who does, these simple tips can be helpful in getting started:
- Set goals: What better time than the new year to set some new health goals? They don’t have to be big – sometimes, the best way to get started is to set a small, manageable goal that you know you can achieve. Putting your goals down on paper is a great way to organize your thoughts and visualize exactly what you want to achieve.
- Keep up with your medicines: Even if you’ve been eating and drinking a bit more than you should, it’s important to continue taking all of your medicines as directed by your physician. And, if you happen to be traveling in the new year, be sure to bring extra medicine to account for potential travel delays.
- Exercise: Feeling more sluggish than usual? Burn off those extra calories by going for a walk, taking a bike ride, or engaging in any other physical activities you might enjoy. Getting in just a little exercise each day can go a long way.
- Hydrate: When someone mentions “drinking” during the holidays, they’re usually not talking about water. Staying well-hydrated helps lower your blood sugar levels, so it’s important to always drink plenty of water, especially if you’ve been drinking alcoholic beverages.
- Skip the leftovers: Holiday meals and treats may be delicious, but they’re usually not very healthy. If you have leftovers from your holiday gathering, consider giving them to someone else so you aren’t tempted to eat them yourself and overindulge.
- Clean around the house: There are more benefits to cleaning than just making your home look nice and organized. Cleaning your home can also relax you and clear your mind after a long holiday season, which can help motivate you to get back on track with your healthy habits.
If you have questions or concerns about diabetes, make an appointment with your Primary Care Provider to discuss how you can stay healthy and manage your condition.
