As the holiday season approaches, many people are in a festive mood. The holidays are filled with eating, drinking, and celebrations where families and friends meet. People who are pre-diabetic or living with diabetes may have mixed reactions about the toasts and drinks they can have during the celebrations. The good news is that seniors living with diabetes can apply various strategies to protect their health even as they enjoy the holiday festivities.
Managing Diabetes During Holiday Festivities
Managing diabetes during the holidays can be challenging. However, with proper planning and preparation, seniors living with diabetes can still stay healthy as they travel and attend gatherings. Here are various ways to manage and safely minimize the impact that holiday celebrations may cause.
Know What to Eat and Drink
It is important for every individual living with diabetes or is pre-diabetic to know their food and drink intake limits. They may have recommendations from their doctors about what food and drinks to consume. Seniors must follow their doctor's recommendations to avoid blood sugar spikes. They can pack snacks and drinks that they regularly use when attending gatherings.
The quantity of food and drink matters for individuals living with diabetes. While they don't have to stop eating or drinking what they love, they should be mindful of how much they consume, especially during the holidays when it can be tempting to eat and drink a lot.
Understand the Glucose Level
While it seems inconvenient, seniors need to know and monitor their sugar levels throughout the day before the festivities begin and before going to bed. This helps ensure that there is no indulgence to the point where the body goes into diabetic shock or other complications. People living with diabetes should keep checking their blood sugar levels and stay on top of it as the day progress.
Holiday Drink Intake
Determining the limits of alcohol intake during the holiday is essential for individuals living with diabetes. No matter how enticing the situation may be, it is best to avoid excessive alcohol intake because it can raise blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that alcohol can cause hypokalemia after 12 to 24 hours of consumption.
If seniors living with diabetes plan to drink alcohol, here are several tips for managing the condition with minimal disruption.
- Carry glucose tablets or any carbohydrate source to help when the blood sugar decrease.
- Wear medical ID bracelets all the time during gatherings.
- Keep testing blood sugar levels before and after taking alcohol, no matter the quantity.
- Avoid combining alcohol and exercise because it can cause low blood sugar levels.
Seniors living with diabetes must check with their doctors and ensure their alcohol intake does not interfere with medications or cause other medical complications.
The Bottom Line
Seniors should take the necessary measures to protect their health, especially during the holidays when in a celebratory mood. A professional caregiver can provide support to a senior. If you are looking for caregiving services in St. Paul, Roseville, New Brighton, Shoreview, and North Oaks, MN, Senior Helpers, Roseville, MN, offers a wide range of services for seniors. Contact us to speak to a professional, and let us hear you.