Managing Diabetes During the Holidays: Finding Balance While Enjoying the Season

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, making it an ideal time to focus on managing diabetes during the busy holiday season. Between family gatherings, festive meals, and changing schedules, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels can become challenging. Fortunately, with planning and a balanced approach, people with diabetes can enjoy holiday traditions without sacrificing their health.“One of the biggest challenges during the holidays is the disruption of normal routines,” explained Paige Roberts, Diabetes Educator for OSF HealthCare. “Meals may happen at unusual times, tempting treats are everywhere, and busy schedules can interfere with medications and physical activity. Planning ahead can help prevent these disruptions from negatively affecting blood sugar levels.”When attending holiday gatherings, avoid skipping meals to save calories or carbohydrates for a large dinner. Instead, maintain regular eating habits and make thoughtful choices when filling your plate. Survey the availabl