Tips for navigating Thanksgiving dinner if you have diabetes

By Cara Murez

Health Day Reporter

TUESDAY, Nov. 22, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Eating Thanksgiving while maintaining healthy blood sugar levels may seem difficult when you have diabetes, but it’s doable, experts say.

Almost 40 million Americans deal with this issue every day, and not just for holiday meals.

To start: Don’t skip breakfast or try to save your calories and carbs for later in the day. That can only make you hungrier and thwart a healthy diet later in the day, said experts at the MOLLY Diabetes Education and Management Center for Adults and Children, part of Hackensack Meridian Health, in Maywood, NJ

Instead, eat a healthy breakfast like a vegetable-heavy frittata or Greek yogurt with nuts.

Here are other recommendations:

• For the holiday meal, think ahead of time about the foods you want to eat the most. Scan the entire table and decide what to eat and what not.
• A smaller plate can make your plate look fuller while saving you some calories.
• Protein—in this case, turkey—will fill you up faster. Not only does this have less of an impact on your blood sugar, but it can also lower your carb cravings. Avoid roast turkey or adding butter.
• Fill in on non-starchy veggies like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and celery, and skip dips and sauces.
• Drinking water, tea, or seltzer instead of sugary drinks can help you stay on track.
• It’s okay to have a small portion of your favorite dessert – just eat slowly and enjoy.

More information

The American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Food Hub has more tips for Thanksgiving dinner.

SOURCE: Hackensack University Medical Center, press release, November 17, 2022