As the holidays approach, many of us are anticipating all the family gatherings and parties the season brings. However, if you are diabetic, or even just watching your waist, all those parties can look more like a challenge than a treat. Don’t worry though! There will be plenty of things for you to munch on while staying within your dietary limits. You can even learn to make a few good-for-you goodies to bring along, to ensure you have something yummy to munch on during the festivities.

It’s hard to imagine those big holiday meals without visions of potatoes, gravies and creamed vegetables dancing through your head, not to mention the appetizers and desserts. While those things are all tasty, they are not exactly what the average person needs to be indulging in often. A little taste here and there is OK, but we all know our helping sizes tend to be quite large during most family meals. However, this year will be different! We are going to help you come up with some delicious and nutritious ideas to add to your family feast this year. Everyone will be full and satisfied by the time we are finished with our sumptuous suggestions.

Many of you will get invited to at least one holiday bash between now and New Year’s Day, and that is usually when all bets are off as far as diets. All those tasty tidbits lined up on pretty platters just begging to be sampled are just too much for most of us to resist. You can make better choices and fight the urge to loosen your belt buckle a notch. Never arrive at a party hungry. It is harder to think rationally when you are starving. Instead, eat a healthy meal ahead of time and just take a few nibbles of the treats being served. Instead of the cheese and cookies, try to stick to the veggies and lean meats. They’ll keep you satisfied and your blood sugar level. If you need to bring something along for the party, why not make something that tastes good but is low-cal and low-fat? One good option is Cherry Tomatoes Stuffed with Crab, or how about Mandarin Almond Chicken Bites? Both of those would be great for keeping all your guests satisfied. And don’t forget the Nog! No party is complete without a cup of Egg Nog, but this year is a great time to try this delicious Diabetic Holiday Eggnog Recipe. For even more yummy ideas, check out the appetizer and beverage section on the "My Food Advisor" recipe list at Diabetes.org.

During most family dinners, the main course is generally meat of some kind. As long as you choose lean cuts or meats, they’re not too bad for you. It’s all those side dishes that rack up your calorie count fast. To help combat this, Food Network’s Calorie Commando took some perennial favorites, Green Bean Casserole and Creamed Spinach, and cut out most of the fat and calories. That will go a long way towards keeping your calorie count in check. Some other great side dishes they offered are Mashed Sweet Potatoes or Barley Risotto with Roasted Winter Vegetables. To see the full list, check out their Diabetic Recipes.

Now how about all those desserts that follow the calorie fest you have just enjoyed? If you’re strong-willed, you can just pass on them. However, most of us love to partake in a bite or two of the traditional holiday desserts we’ve grown up with. If you can, bring something with you, and then you’ll be able to have your pie and eat it too! This Hidden Pumpkin Pie recipe will let you do just that. Or how about something a little different this year, such as Chocolate Almond Meringues or an Espresso Cream Roll. Both yummy and diabetic friendly, these desserts will surely satisfy the sweet tooth in all your guests.

To learn more about diabetic holiday eating, check out these great websites:

~Diabetes.org: Making Healthy Food Choices
~Diabetes.org: Holiday Meal Planning
~Temple University: 10 Tips For Diabetics and Healthy Holiday Eating
~Tips For Healthy Holiday Eating For People With Diabetes
~Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating

And for additional delicious recipes, you can search the lists on these sites:

~Holiday/Seasonal Cooking
~Holiday Recipes for Diabetics
~Diabetes.com: Virtual Grocery Store Recipes
~Diabetic-Recipes.com
~That's My Home: Healthy Eating Recipes

Tastes vary from person to person and family to family, but no matter what you love most during the holidays, we hope you can come through them satisfied and healthy.


Julie is a wife and mother living outside Chicago. Her family loves holiday meals and treats, but they have been focused on getting healthier this year. She is hoping to introduce some new treats this holiday season that won’t have them packing on the pounds they've worked so hard to lose!