It’s that time of year again when parties and dinners are
abundant and we, as Diabetics, are challenged with eating enough, eating the
right things, controlling our sugars and trying to have a good time.
What can I suggest to help? Well, I don’t have anything new to offer that
hasn’t already been put out there by someone else. However, I can offer an example of how I
handled a recent outing where there was lots of food, including sweet treats.
An old friend from my High School day hosted a Holiday Open House last weekend. I knew before I even left the house for the
party that he and his husband had baked 500 cookies for the event, let alone
all the other goodies they were going to serve.
My work was going to be cut out for me.
My daughter and I arrived in the late afternoon and the
assessed the “spread.” There were chips
and dip, cheese and crackers, veggies and dips, meatballs, sausage, and various
other savory appetizers. The cookie
table was layered with plates of different baked goodies, each looking more
delicious than the next.
After flitting about meeting some people and watching a
very youthful billiards game, my daughter and I meaningfully approached the
food tables. At first I noticed the
cheese and crackers and the rum cake. I
only took a few small pieces of various cheeses and 4 crackers. I was informed that the rum cake was
extremely flammable so I just avoided it altogether.
After flitting about meeting some people and watching a
very youthful billiards game, my daughter and I meaningfully approached the
food tables. At first I noticed the
cheese and crackers and the rum cake. I
only took a few small pieces of various cheeses and 4 crackers. I was informed that the rum cake was
extremely flammable so I just avoided it altogether.
I had some of the veggies with no dip and then a cup of
spiced apple cider. My daughter choice
some things she liked, including the veggies and dip. Once we had eaten some savories it was time
to check out the cookie display.
There were Chocolate Orange cookies, Russian Rock cookies,
thumbprint cookies and even a gluten and dairy free option. I took one small cookie to try at that
time. When I finished the cider, I
switched completely to water for the rest of the afternoon.
I continued to try a cookie, one at a time approximately every hour. We stayed for several hours. I continued to go back to the savories every
so often. The baked brie and veggies were delicious as well as a quarter sandwich with beef, lettuce and tomato and a small serving
of potato chips.
It helped that my High School friend
is also diabetic. However, self-control is still an issue for
anyone, including a diabetic. It is difficult to be faced with such delectable temptations at a social function and
keep yourself in check. Honestly, I
wanted nothing more than to eat 3 or 4 of the Russian Rock and Chocolate Orange
cookies all at once. They were so
delicious!
So this holiday season, as you’re faced with temptations, like party food or big family dinners with all your favorites, remember to
maintain control. A little will go a
long way for a diabetic. Be satisfied
with a taste of the sweet stuff and fill up on the healthy stuff. Enjoying yourself doesn’t have to be a
challenge or a chore. After all, the real purpose for a holiday party
or dinner is to bring people together to make memories. I remember the people I met, the billiard
game, the little baby with the sweet smile and the carols we sang around the
piano much more than the food.
*Note: The pictures of food are not from the actual party I attended.
