LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y.,
Nov. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In
observance of National Diabetes Month this November, Fidelis Care, a statewide health plan serving
more than 2.3 million members, is focused on helping those with
diabetes enjoy the upcoming holiday meals and traditions while
managing their disease. While temptations and sweet treats may
abound this time of year, some strategic meal planning and sticking
to a game plan can make the holidays a less stressful time for the
1.6 million New Yorkers living with diabetes.
Dr. Natalie Schwartz,
Endocrinologist and Fidelis Care Medical Director, offers the
following tips for managing diabetes while celebrating with loved
ones during the holidays:
• Plan Ahead:
Stay on schedule. Don't skip meals to
save up for that large holiday feast. It will become harder to
control your blood sugars, your hunger, and your temptation to
overindulge in high-calorie foods at the meal.
• Be Selective:
Many traditional holiday foods - like
mashed and sweet potatoes, stuffing, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce,
pie, and desserts – are high in carbohydrates. Choosing non-starchy
vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, or spinach which are also
low in calories and carbohydrates, and drinking a large glass of
water will help reduce your hunger. No food is really off-limits if
you practice portion control, so look over all the food choices
carefully, and select your favorite dish.
• Stay Active:
Healthy physical activity is an
important component of diabetes management throughout the year.
Keep up your regular physical activity schedule during holiday
season and take a walk with friends and family after that big
holiday feast.
• Enjoy the Holidays and Stress Less:
With proper
planning, you can enjoy holiday gatherings, eat delicious food, and
keep your blood sugars and weight under control. However, if you do
find that you have overindulged, make a plan to get back on
track.
"The holidays are a beautiful time of year to enjoy the
company of loved ones and friends," said Dr. Schwartz. "Focus on
healthy diet choices, portion control, building exercise into your
busy schedule, and keeping a close eye on your blood sugars. Don't
let food temptations and overindulgence at gatherings derail all
your hard work. We want you to have a healthy and happy holiday
season."
Educating yourself about diabetes, following your doctor's
advice, and self-care are important to prevent long term
complications.
For more resources about diabetes prevention and management,
visit Fidelis Care's Diabetes
Resources page.
About Fidelis
Care:
Fidelis Care
is a mission-driven health plan offering quality, affordable
coverage for children and adults of all ages and at all stages of
life. With more than 2.3 million members statewide, Fidelis Care believes that all New Yorkers
should have access to affordable, quality health insurance.
Follow us on Twitter at @fideliscare, Instagram at @fideliscare,
and on Facebook at facebook.com/fideliscare. For more information,
call Fidelis Care at 1-888-FIDELIS
(1-888-343-3547) or visit fideliscare.org.
Contact: MediaInquiries@fideliscare.org
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SOURCE Fidelis Care