‘Christmas and Diabetes’. Are you prepared?

TDT | Manama                       

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com    

Reported by Zahra Ayaz  

Managing diabetes will be an uphill struggle, especially during Christmas, when there are plenty of tempting sweet treats around you.

However, as experts point out, a healthy diet and proper meal planning are integral to diabetes management and glucose control. Managing diabetes during holidays also means following the same path and meal time management as on any other day of the year.

Further intimidating is the fact that about 537 million people worldwide have diabetes. This data is according to Dr Rabaa Alhajeri, a Diabetologist and Board Member of the Bahrain Diabetes Society.

Dr Alhajeri revealed to the Daily Tribune that 783 million people will have diabetes by 2045, an increase of 45%, citing International Diabetes Federation. The doctor also warns that within the Gulf region, there are more than 15% of diabetes patients.

“The number of patients is rising steadily, and observational data reveal that the prevalence of type 1 and, in particular, type 2 diabetes has jumped since the pandemic.

Lifestyle matters

"This is due to a change in the lifestyles of adult and younger children brought on by the pandemic, boosting socializing, indulging in daily activities, and celebrating all the holidays.

"Children and adults began eating more junk food and sweets over holidays, as a result.”

Do not avoid food all-day

The doctor further said that while it seems logical to avoid food all day, so you can pack in the calories at a holiday celebration is a bad idea.

"That’s because over-indulging will almost certainly cause your blood sugar levels to spike," the doctor warns.

Control cravings, eat nutritiously

"Diabetic patients should be able to control their cravings if they eat nutritiously, and filling food before heading to a holiday get-together. Try eating a slice of fruit like an apple, spinach salad, or almonds.

These are foods known to help stabilize blood sugar.

Alcohol is tricky

Experts warn that alcohol is a tricky subject for diabetics, especially at Christmas parties and other celebrations this time of year.

Alcohol can have a lowering effect on your blood sugar. It can be dangerous partly because symptoms of low blood sugar could appear to be similar to someone who is drinking alcohol.

While that is true that many Christmas treats are high in sugar, refined carbs, saturated fats and salts, plenty are there which are healthy festive food. People can still enjoy their Christmas food by managing the portions and finding a balance between treating themselves and restraint.