Diabetes can affect your foot health. This Thanksgiving, practice healthy lifestyle habits to protect your body (and your feet) while enjoying the holiday with loved ones.
The holidays are for spending time with friends and family, eating tasty food, and observing traditions. You can get the most out of the holidays with good health, energy, and vitality.
With a condition like diabetes, the holidays can be difficult. Having to avoid certain foods and focus on your glucose levels can take the charm out of the day.
Nonetheless, you can still enjoy holidays like Thanksgiving without putting your health at risk. Learn our five tips to have a fun Thanksgiving while maintaining total body health with diabetes below.
Importance of Foot Health for Diabetics
Healthy feet are a necessary component of total body wellness for everyone. This is especially true for diabetics.
People with diabetes are prone to complications because of metabolic changes that make them susceptible to problems like poor circulation, infection, and nerve damage.
The feet are affected by diabetes, too. Foot ulcers are painless sores that occur on the sole of the foot and can cause infection or even expose the bone.
Practicing healthy lifestyle habits and daily foot care will help prevent diabetic foot pain and foot ulcers from developing. Holidays like Thanksgiving create the temptation to ignore lifestyle habits, but diabetics should take caution to enjoy the holiday with a few simple changes.
5 Tips for a Great Thanksgiving for Diabetics
1. Eat light and healthy versions of Thanksgiving classics
Thanksgiving foods are delicious: juicy roasted turkey, buttery mashed potatoes, thick slices of apple pie… It is a foodie’s dream come true.
These classics come with a price: sugar, saturated fat, and simple carbohydrates. For a diabetic, this dream can quickly turn into a nightmare.
That doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun! There are plenty of tasty and healthy diabetic recipes for Thanksgiving meals that don’t require any extra effort to prepare. For example, check out the Eating Well guide to Thanksgiving recipes for diabetics.
2. Avoid unnecessary high-sugar foods and beverages
Some treats may be available at the snack bar or dinner table that aren’t part of the Thanksgiving tradition. You can easily skip these high-sugar foods and still enjoy your holiday meal:
- Candy (chocolates, hard candy, etc.)
- Cereals
- Soda (even the diet kind!)
- Pastries (doughnuts, turnovers, etc.)
- Fruit juice
By choosing not to eat and drink these high-sugar treats, you are protecting your overall health, as well as your foot health, while still enjoying the fun foods of Thanksgiving.
3. Watch portions
It’s easy to load up your plate with the bounty of Thanksgiving’s harvest. However, as a diabetic, it’s important to practice moderation.
Try to avoid snacking before the main meal to cut down on consumption throughout the day. Stay hydrated and munch on the fruit and vegetable platter. If there is a particular appetizer that you look forward to, then enjoy it in small portions.
As for Thanksgiving dinner, eat slowly and only fill up your plate once. This will allow your body to recognize when it’s full and keep you from overstuffing your belly.
4. Monitor your blood sugar levels
Throughout the day, be sure to monitor your glucose levels. This will encourage you to stay on track and prevent overindulgence. You can still relish delicious Thanksgiving foods if you take the proper precautions for your health!
5. Go for a pre- and/or post-dinner walk or run
Have you ever participated in a 5K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving? If you are a runner, then consider spending the morning going for a run. It will energize you while also preventing you from overeating early in the day. If your usual run is not happening because of COVID-19, or if you are not a runner, a walk will achieve the same goal. Go for a walk surrounded by nature or, if you live in a town, walk in a park, to lift your spirits with fall views and fresh air. Keep your heart rate elevated to kickstart your metabolism and get that endorphin rush.
Thanksgiving can be fun for both diabetics and non-diabetics.
Having diabetes doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the best parts of Thanksgiving. You can still enjoy the delicious food and time with your close family without sacrificing your health by participating in healthy habits for diabetics. Because social distancing is important this year, keeping your group small is good for everyone’s health, and makes less work for whoever is hosting.
By practicing the points above, you can participate in all the holiday fare while protecting your total body wellness and foot health.
Other Ways to Treat Your Feet
You can take care of your feet every other day of the year, too. Follow these tips to establish foot health routines in your day-to-day life:
- Check the condition of your feet daily. This is especially important for diabetics to screen for any potential ulcers.
- Wear comfortable shoes with proper arch support.
- Moisturize your feet with natural, fragrance-free lotion to keep skin hydrated. Avoid applying lotion between the toes where the skin is already soft and fragile.
- Wash your feet daily with warm, soapy water and dry thoroughly.
- Practice good posture for good circulation and to prevent gait-related foot conditions.
- Trim your toenails regularly. Be sure to cut them straight across to prevent ingrown nails.
- Get a foot massage to promote relaxation and enhance circulation.
Taking care of your feet every day of the year will keep them in good health and establish routines that promote overall health.
Give thanks to your feet this holiday season for all they do to keep you on the move!
Contact Frankel Foot & Ankle today for diabetic foot treatment.
Dr. Frankel founded Frankel Foot & Ankle to provide patients in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey tri-state area with the latest advances in diagnostic technology and treatment for sports medicine conditions, foot and ankle trauma response, and innovative surgical and regenerative approaches. Contact Frankel Foot & Ankle today.
