Editorial Music & Art Humour Guest Column Carnatic Music Mythology Health & Fitness Folktale Book Review Punjab Round-Up Poetry Prev Issue Next Issue

I can already see the number of party invitations is going up and people are throwing parties on Fridays as well because Saturday and Sunday are not enough for everyone to take turns. Holiday celebrations offer temptation for partygoers to abandon healthy nutrition habits, but calorie-laden festivities pose a special challenge to the growing number of people who have diabetes. "The key to successfully navigating the holiday season," says Riccardo Perfetti, M.D., Director of the Endocrine Training Program and of the Outpatient Diabetes and Weight Management programs at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, "is to remember that even though you can take a holiday, your diabetes never does."

Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death by disease in the United States. Unfortunately millions of people in the world do not come to know they have diabetes and that is why American Diabetes Association is observing month of November as American Diabetes Month. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert sugar into energy needed to carry out the activities of life. The cause of diabetes is a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

Diabetes is a disease where the burden of everyday management lies with the patient and their family. I have some very close family members and friends who suffer from diabetes. My cousin sister's husband has had diabetes for the last 20 years. My cousin and her daughters observe healthy food habits which will benefit all of them in the long run. My cousin always accompanies her husband for long morning walks. Not many people can make out any difference between him and a healthy person without diabetes.

During the festival season, people with diabetes should avoid an overabundance of sugary desserts and rich foods and follow a regular exercise routine, says Dr. Perfetti, who leads the medical center's nationally-acclaimed diabetes outpatient program.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle specially during the festival season can have a positive influence on your blood sugar and health. "People with diabetes can enjoy the wonderful foods of the holiday season--only in moderation. Regular exercise and sensible daily planning should be especially important during the next few weeks," Dr. Perfetti says.

Following are a few tips to follow if you have diabetes or are at a risk:

• Follow a regular exercise routine to help regulate metabolism. If time is tight, try taking 10- or 15- minute brisk walks at intervals throughout the day. Remember, after a holiday meal, to wait 60 to 90 minutes before taking your walk.
• Keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible and take your diabetes medicine regularly. Watch for symptoms of low and high blood sugar.
• "Know when enough is enough." Practice portion control. If you control the portion sizes of the food you eat, you will be able to eat a wider variety of foods including your favorites. A small portion is less likely to upset blood sugar levels.
• Do a "trade-off." Eating more during the holidays can be -- in part -- offset by a moderate and daily increase in physical exercise.
• Choose nonfat or low fat foods. A healthy diet includes less than 30% of calories from fat, with less than 10% of these from saturated fat. Monounsaturated fats found in almonds, walnuts, canola and olive oil are the healthiest for your body.
• At parties and other social events, gravitate toward the veggies and fresh fruit.
• Take extra care to be certain that your meals are nutritious, varied and balanced. If you do have a treat, make sure you substitute it for an equivalent item in your regular menu.
• Be positive. Remember that you control your diabetes; it doesn't control you.

Symptoms of diabetes include extreme thirst, frequent urination and blurry vision from time to time. Early symptoms of the disease include unexplained weight loss or weight gain, as well as fatigue.

Credits:

View and Post comment on this article