During the Lenten period, many Christians abstain from eating or drinking certain goods and focus on prayer. For seniors with diabetes, maintaining healthy levels of blood sugar can be challenging, especially when limiting food consumption. With proper management techniques, diabetics can still enjoy the Lenten season while controlling their blood sugar levels.
Importance of Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
Diabetes makes it difficult for the body to properly use energy from food and affects the production of insulin within the pancreas. It is important for seniors with diabetes to consistently regulate their blood sugar levels to prevent complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and nerve damage.
Managing Diabetes During the Lenten Period
It is possible to follow Lenten's rules while still managing diabetes. Here are a few tips to help your senior loved one:
Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels
Frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels is an important part of managing diabetes and should be done as often as directed. Testing kits can check both fasting and post-meal levels so seniors can keep track of how certain foods affect their glucose levels.
Tracking Food Intake
Keeping a food journal is another important tool for managing diabetes. Seniors can record what they eat and when they ate it.
Getting Enough Sleep
Healthy sleep habits are important for controlling blood sugar. Your senior loved one should get between seven and nine hours of sleep. If the Lenten schedule requires early morning activities, you might consider helping your senior parent get to bed a little earlier.
Keeping Up With Regular Exercise
Exercising regularly can help your senior loved one maintain healthy blood sugar levels. You can take a short walk in the morning or afternoon. Stretching exercises are also a good option if your senior is sitting in prayer for an extended period.
Discuss Options With Their Doctor Ahead of the Holiday
Seniors with diabetes need to talk to their healthcare provider when making changes in their diet and exercise routine.
Avoid Sugary Food and Beverages
It is important to avoid sweet treats as they can cause blood sugar levels to spike. This includes both food and beverages. Other foods that can spike blood sugar can include ones with high carbohydrate counts.
Dishes to Try
There are plenty of delicious and nutritious dishes to try during Lent for your senior loved one with diabetes. These include:
Caponata Flatbread
This delicious vegetarian meal is made with eggplant, zucchini, and squash. A little ricotta or feta cheese adds protein and calcium. You can purchase premade flatbread and allow your senior parent to make their own. It's low in carbohydrates but high in flavor.
Butternut Squash Soup
This comforting soup is just what your senior parent needs during these colder months. Butternut squash, apples, and onions make the perfect trio in this flavorful soup that comes together quickly with a few pantry staples.
Cauliflower Fried Rice
This low-carb fried rice substitutes cauliflower for white rice. Fried carrots, mushrooms, and onions give this dish a nice crunch while peas provide protein. Your senior parent can enjoy this as an easy side or a main course.
Senior Helpers Evansville Provides Meal Prep and Support With Daily Activities
Managing diabetes during Lenten periods can be challenging, but not impossible. With careful monitoring and diet modifications, your senior loved one can celebrate the Lenten period, while keeping their blood sugar levels under control in Evansville, Newburgh, Mount Vernon, and Boonville. Senior Helpers Evansville can help with meal planning and prep during this period of fasting. Reach out to us today to learn about more ways we can help!