Eating with Diabetes: Party Food

Celebration Tips for People with Diabetes

-- By Amy Poetker, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator

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However, avoiding overeating at a party is easier said than done. Taking a few extra precautions ahead of time can help reduce temptation. Try:

Doing some extra exercise before the event. Exercise lowers blood glucose levels and slightly increases the number of calories the body burns for a period of time afterward. For many, it may also help curb appetite since the digestive track slows during exercise as blood flow is diverted to other areas of the body that need more energy.
Eating before you go. Enjoy a healthy snack 1-2 hours before heading out to a party. It is much easier to avoid temptation when you don't feel overly hungry.
Asking the host if you can bring a dish. Offering to bring food to the party is not only helpful to the host, but it can also ensure that there is at least one lower-calorie food choice available for a snack. Just be sure to take something healthy, such as a vegetable tray with a low-fat dip.

Making Choices
The cornerstone of healthy living with diabetes is making good choices as consistently as possible. The best diet for someone with diabetes is low in fat, sodium and added sugar, and high in fiber—most of the time. But on occasion, it is entirely possible to include a little "junk food" into any healthy diet. The key is to do so without really raising blood sugar levels or adding many extra calories.

You can accomplish this by substituting the desired treat for other foods in the meal instead of eating a meal as usual and then adding extras. So in order to help prevent calorie and carbohydrate overload, simply remove 1-2 carbohydrate-food items from your meal and substitute the desired treat. (See an example of this in tip #2 below.) It is important to remember that this concept is intended to be used for special occasions (such as a party) and not on a regular basis. That said, the beauty of the concept is that you don't have to feel like you're missing out on the fun, or that you need "special foods" made just for you at a party. No one has to give up foods they love because of diabetes. They will, however, need to put a little more thought into what they choose to eat.

How to Eat Right at a Party (Without Depriving Yourself)
In order to successfully include traditionally party fare, it is important to have a good understanding of the role nutrition plays in diabetes as well as knowledge of basic meal planning for people with diabetes. Below is a simple overview of the general guidelines. It is highly recommended that everyone with diabetes receive self-management training from a qualified healthcare professional in order to gain in-depth knowledge of meal planning and to help create a meal plan that best fits into their lifestyle. So here are the basics you need to know to eat smart during any celebration. Continued ›

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About The Author

Amy L. Poetker
Amy Poetker is a licensed and registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with a master's degree in dietetics. Amy, who has spent most of her career working in diabetes education, is dedicated to the treatment of that disease and the prevention of related complications. See all of Amy's articles.

Member Comments

BUMPS2

Great information in this article!!!!!! I've got to save this information. - 1/19/2013 9:34:21 PM
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JENNAAW

Wow this is one of my favorite articles ever because it is so easy to understand! I come from a family of diabetics and believed all the old myths- sugar is the only culprit, it would kill a diabetic but everything else was ok, etc. Now I have learned from this article that I could have been setting myself up for diabetes by thinking that if I avoid sugars I will be fine. Really needed this info!!! - 5/16/2012 7:27:59 AM
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CIRANDELLA

YES to bringing that dish! I don't have diabetes, but in the interest of avoiding that terrible condition, it's nutritional "insurance" to bring a healthy dish along - a way to help keep your blood sugar at a safe, steady level. What a vital suggestion, Amy! - 11/25/2011 11:53:21 AM
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JDUXBURY

Awesome article! Great Ideas! Don't have to worry about attending a party and worry about what you can eat. Thank you! - 11/25/2011 11:38:13 AM
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