How to Navigate The Holiday Season When You Have Diabetes

During a time of year that’s filled with heavy dishes, almost everyone faces a challenge to eat a healthy diet. While that may not be of utmost importance to some just looking to enjoy rich holiday desserts (hey, we don’t blame you), for those facing health issues like diabetes, making healthy meal choices can make all the difference.

Why and How a Plant-Based Diet Works for Diabetes

The beauty is that many plant-based holiday meals are automatically healthier than animal-based dishes rich in cholesterol and fats and proteins that contribute directly to diabetes (and even cancer). Research has shown that a whole foods plant-based diet is incredibly beneficial for treating symptoms of Type 1 diabetes (genetic) and even curing Type 2 diabetes (non-genetic). The reason is that animal foods (contrary to belief) cause a larger rise in glucose than most all plant-based foods. People that switch to a whole foods plant-based diet (greens, vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, grains, nuts, seeds) experience lower blood sugar levels and even greater satiety than those that eat a diet that includes animal foods.

The American Diabetes Association even now suggests that a plant-based diet be followed to prevent and treat diabetes because it means consuming fewer calories and less fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol while also consuming more fiber, potassium, vitamins, and minerals. So choosing plant-based is the first step to taking care of yourself during the holidays. So skip the ham and go for some hearty sweet potatoes, green beans, and vegan stuffing instead!

Choose Fiber-Rich, Low Glycemic Foods When Possible

Aside from the ham, that sugary piece of pie may look divine but might not serve your blood sugar well. Remember that though sugary desserts may technically be plant-based that doesn’t necessarily make them glycemic-friendly. One of the benefits of a whole foods, plant-based diet is that it improves blood sugar, so base your diet on simple, whole foods. To satisfy your sweet tooth, aim to eat healthier sweet foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, cranberries, apples, and other seasonal delights that are much more blood-sugar friendly and also keep you full due to higher amounts of fiber. They also bring nutrients to your body, which it’s ultimately hungry for. If you crave sugary foods, it could be a sign you’re not eating enough high-quality carbohydrates or your diet doesn’t include enough nutrients to fuel your body. Turn to whole foods, which always have more fiber and beneficial carbs than more processed options (i.e. white sugar, flour, chips, cookies). Looking to still enjoy some pie? Try this indulgent no-bake pumpkin pie that’s actually both vegan and sugar-free, and even made from 100 percent whole foods.

Watch Out for Sugary Syrups and Sauces

Sauces and syrups generally house all sugar and almost no fiber. They also don’t keep you full for very long like more fibrous foods (grains, apples, sweet potatoes, beans) do. So, instead of the sugary, fatty sauces, syrups, and oils, go for natural (more healthy) flavor boosters such as freshly squeezed citrus juice, roasted veggies, herbs, and spices, or a healthy vegan sauce. Instead of sugary syrups that have no fiber to slow down the release of those sugars into the bloodstream, make your own by pureeing some berries for a one-ingredient syrup in minutes, you can serve over anything you like!

Remember that many healthy plant-based foods can easily be transformed into tasty and satisfying holiday meals, sans sugar, butter, and eggs. Some to include are sweet potatoes, green beans, roasted Brussels sprouts, squash, chestnuts, wild rice, mushroom stuffing, whole corn (not creamed), or roasted veggies. You can also try any of our Christmas recipes or Thanksgiving options that have a little piece of healthy for a variety of dietary needs and wishes.

Don’t be tempted to neglect your health during the holidays, at least as much as possible. You deserve to feel your best at one of the most enjoyable, momentous times of the year and can enjoy a delicious meal that will serve you (and your blood sugar) well.

We also highly recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for iPhone and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 20,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!

Related Content:

• 10 Nutrition Tips That Help Prevent and Treat Diabetes and Other Chronic Health Conditions
• 6 Wellness and Food Habits to Follow if You Have Diabetes
• Youth Ages 12 to 19 Make Up 28% of Americans with Prediabetes
• Petition: Support Americans with Diabetes
• Managing Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus with a Plant-Based Diet

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
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