14 VITALITY Winter 2023 From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, food isn’t just food. It’s a delicious experience loaded with temptation and tradition. Managing the blitz of festive favorites, such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, casseroles and desserts, can be tricky for anyone. But if you’re among the 30 million Americans with diabetes, this season can be especially challenging. These party pointers can help you keep your blood sugar on track while still enjoying yourself: » Use delay tactics. At parties, grab a glass of seltzer and mingle. Focus on family and friends instead of the buffet table. » Plan your splurges. Assess the food array before serving yourself. Reserve one-fourth of your plate for starchy holiday favorites. Round out your plate with foods that will help keep your blood sugar in check, such as salads and nonstarchy vegetables. » Bring a healthy main dish. That way, you’ll know there will be at least one healthy option. » Make time for exercise. Physical activity helps lower blood sugar and provides a feeling of well-being that can fuel your resolve to eat healthy. » Monitor your blood sugar. To know how holiday foods affect your blood sugar, check it throughout the day every day. » Go easy on sweets. Have only a small serving of treats high in sugar and fat or skip them altogether. » Get back on track. If you overindulge, go right back to your regular, diabetes-friendly lifestyle. “It’s easy to become discouraged if you get off track for a meal or two,” says Jessica Jennings, R.D., L.D., a diabetes educator with CMH Endocrinology Center. “But one meal is just that. One meal. Forgive yourself and move on. You’ll make wiser eating decisions that will make you feel better.” Contact your primary care provider with any concerns. ENDOCRINOLOGY Meet the docs Heather Corn, M.D., and Brian Robinson, D.O., are experts in diabetes care and other endocrine disorders. Call CMH Endocrinology Center at 417-328-7000 for more information and to schedule an appointment. Heather Corn, M.D. Brian Robinson, D.O. Diabetes and healthy holidays Diabetes education can help Are you or a loved one having trouble controlling diabetes? A diabetes educator can help. Jessica Jennings, R.D., L.D., is a diabetes educator with the CMH Endocrinology Center. She teaches how to monitor blood sugar, meal planning, tips for eating out and more. Ask your physician for a referral. Jennings offers classes, online support groups and individual nutrition counseling. Jennings earned a Bachelor of Science in dietetics from Missouri State University, Springfield. She completed a Master of Science in nutrition and a dietetic internship from Illinois State University, Normal. For more information about Jennings or diabetes education services, call 417-328-7957. Jessica Jennings, R.D., L.D.
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