Health Tip: Keep Diabetes in Check

It can be difficult to eat healthy during the holidays, especially for diabetics.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these suggestions for people with diabetes:

• Eat a healthy snack before you attend a holiday gathering, or pack a healthy snack to eat there. You can also ask ahead of time which foods will be served, so you can better plan.
• If there's a buffet, take small portions, then head to another room so you're not tempted to reload your plate.
• Choose low-calorie or calorie-free drinks, from unsweetened tea to sparkling water. If you drink alcohol, drink a small amount with food.
• Avoid foods such as glazed ham, turkey with gravy and side dishes laden with butter, cream or mayonnaise. Instead, opt for lighter dishes with a vegetable base and fewer fatty, sugary and salty ingredients.
• For dessert, choose a food with a fruit base instead of desserts high in sugar, fat and cholesterol.
• Focus on friends and family, not food.