During the holiday season, especially the months between Halloween and Valentine’s Day, maintaining control over health seems to become a tad more difficult for people with diabetes.  Managing diabetes is more challenging during the winter holiday season mainly because there is greater opportunity to snack on special treats – but this is only the tip of the iceberg. While food focused celebrations are a primary distraction, there are several other factors that increase the urge to eat.

Some of the other season related factors that could threaten the well-being of the diabetic patient include:

• The stirring of emotions which may cause the diabetic to fall off the wagon of healthy eating in a variety of ways.  We eat because we’re celebrating, or possibly because we’re not.  It is not uncommon to use food to soothe anxiety, loss, dissatisfaction, sadness and other negative feelings.  Although regular use of diabetes testing supplies may help the diabetic to know where he or she stands, they cannot substitute for maintaining healthy habits.  Falling off the wagon only means that one must get back on as soon as possible.
• Stress is a part of everyday life but holiday obligations may cause the level to mount.  Between shopping for gifts and preparing for guests or holiday travel, the urges to overeat or consume foods that are quick but unhealthy may be harder to resist.
• Energy levels may dip naturally during winter months; and the added stress and sleep deprivation that comes during the holidays may increase that sluggish feeling.  Diabetic or not, a tired person is more likely to overeat.
• Cold weather sends most people in search of comfort food and drink!  This factor alone may cause unhealthy eating.

Surviving this hectic time of year takes a little more discipline and wise planning.  One recommendation is to have a re-order system for diabetes supplies and medications.  Several approved Medicare contract suppliers encourage customers to register for auto ship programs when they are ordering their diabetic supplies online. The automation of this task avoids the hassle when stocks run out during extra busy times.

Other helpful tips include advice to the diabetic to:

• Practice moderation. During special occasion gatherings, there is no harm in indulging in a holiday treat when done in moderation. To enjoy more of what is placed on the table, the diabetic should accept only an appetizer portion of various foods. While it’s appropriate to enjoy treats on special occasions, moderation also means resisting that indulgence too often.  Holiday gatherings really do span out over several months.  Without awareness of the factors that arise during this season to challenge the diabetic in particular to abandon temporarily or otherwise their regular healthy habits  , it’s easy to come to the end of a holiday season and say “I can’t believe I got so far off track!”
• Practice healthy activities.  Even if it’s just picking up the pace while browsing the mall for holiday gifts, moving is important to healthy living.  The main reason people offer for why they don’t exercise is lack of time, and the holidays provide just the right diversion to throw the diabetic off his or her exercise routine.

While it may require a bit more awareness, finding ways to be active and limit indulgence in special treats will lead to a healthy happy holiday season for both diabetics and their families.