AF&A Blog

While most holidays involve some component of gathering with others for a meal, Thanksgiving, by far, focuses the most on eating. This holiday typically conjures up images of feeling stuffed, ‘turkey coma’, or post meal naps. Unfortunately, this type of gorging isn’t healthy for anyone. Living with diabetes should mean that you focus on what you eat. Your body’s inability to keep the sugars in your blood at the appropriate levels translates into you changing the when you eat, what you eat, and the level of activity you get.

It may be helpful to think of diet as all the good things you can eat and not the limiting of other not so good things you may be used to eating. If you have any input into the types of foods you’ll be eating this holiday, visit the American Diabetes Association website. This is an excellent organization to be a part of if you live with diabetes. They offer a plethora of resources and ideas for living better while managing your sugars. For the holiday season, they offer such ideas as mashed sweet potatoes, sage stuffing, and pumpkin pie with maple ginger crust to help you have an enjoyable meal without sacrificing your blood sugars and ultimately your health. If you have the luxury of letting someone else prepare your meal, you should use a little caution in what and how much you eat. Standard fair like turkey and yams can actually be ok as long as you don’t stuff yourself. Sweet rolls are one of the foods you should limit or remove altogether as simple breads are one of those foods that can quickly elevate your blood sugars. You should take full advantage of the many resources to help guide your choices at meals this Thanksgiving.

While we talked last time about ‘hidden’ exercise, you should consider taking an easy walk after your meal instead of that nap.

Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy, Austin!

It is almost here!  The preparations and general business are about to culminate in the few days we spend with family and friends for the holiday.  If you have been working hard to keep your diabetes in check, this time may prevent a few extra challenges to keep your blood sugars at the proper levels.  You don’t have to completely skip the fried turkey, jalapeño cornbread, or pecan pie.  Enjoy the holiday foods you like, just be sure to consume it in moderation and to check your blood sugars a little more frequently than usual.  As mentioned before, the American Diabetes Association is full of great information.  A few tips to navigate the holiday can be found at their website.

Once the hustle and bustle of the holidays fades away the management of your diabetes and blood sugars shouldn’t.  As you all know, there are many aspects to living with this condition and your podiatrist is an important part of your healthcare team.  Dr. Thomajan and the staff here at Austin Foot & Ankle Specialists want to remind you to make an appointment and come in for a foot assessment.  New ADA “2010 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes” recommend that anyone living with diabetes visit their podiatrist for a yearly assessment.  Keep an eye on your mailbox for more information about this in the next few weeks. 

Have a happy holiday and enjoy the season!