Diabetes Meal Planning For the Holidays
Diabetic Meals That Fit a High Blood Sugar Diet
Aug 31, 2009
Due to food restrictions, many diabetics expect to be deprived of their favorite holiday meals, which can reduce their enjoyment of the season. Other diabetics simply indulge in their high-sugar favorites, which can have an adverse impact on their health. Planning ahead for diabetic meals over the holidays helps diabetics avoid either extreme. Making a few small changes allows a diabetic to enjoy holiday treats during their Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations without sacrificing health and well-being.
Thanksgiving Diet for High Blood Sugar
During the Thanksgiving season, there are several treats that can cause problems for a diabetic's blood sugar levels. While the turkey fits perfectly into a high blood sugar diet, the stuffing, or dressing, can cause high blood sugar levels. Another favorite Thanksgiving treat is pumpkin pie, which is full of sugar.
Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie for the Diabetic Holiday Celebration
While baking a sugar-free pumpkin pie is not as simple as pulling a Sara Lee box out of the freezer section, it is still relatively simple, and well worth the extra effort. Any favorite pumpkin pie recipe can be used, with a few small substitutions. Exchange sugar for the alternative sweetener of your choice. Avoid aspartame and saccharin in cooking, their chemical composition changes with the application of heat, and they lose their sweetness. If the recipe calls for evaporated milk, use heavy whipping cream in place of the evaporated milk.
Low-Carb Stuffing for the Diabetic's Thanksgiving Turkey
To make low-carb stuffing for a Thanksgiving turkey, use low carb bread instead of regular bread crumbs in any stuffing recipe. To make bread crumbs out of a loaf of low-carb bread, slice the bread into cubes and toast in a low-heat oven until crunchy.
Diabetic Meal Planning During Christmas
Christmas feasts can be full of flour, sugar and spices. While the spices such as cinnamon can be a beneficial part of a Low-Carb Diabetic Diet, flour and sugar are not part of a high blood sugar diet for a diabetic.
Low-Carb Pie Crust for Diabetic Desserts
A simple low-carb pie crust for diabetic holiday treats can be created with almond meal, or the flour made from grinding any type of nut. This crust enhances the flavor of any type of pie, and is especially effective for sugar-free cheesecake. Combine 1 1/2 cups of the nut meal with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch pie pan, and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 5 to 10 minutes. Watch this crust carefully, due to the delicacy of the nuts, it will burn quickly.
When cooking diabetic meals during the holiday season, consider Using Natural Sugar Substitutes in the place of other sweeteners. Diabetic Products can also benefit anyone eating a high blood sugar diet over the holidays.
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