A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes During Holiday Celebrations

There is nothing quite like the joy of holiday gatherings. Friends and family come together, gifts are exchanged, and homes fill with laughter, warmth, and celebration. Food is often at the center of it all, with tables full of comforting dishes and sweet traditions.

For people living with diabetes, and for those who care for them, the holidays can bring both happiness and extra challenges. But with some thoughtful planning and adjustments, it is possible to enjoy the season while still keeping blood sugar levels steady and health a priority.

Before The Gatherings Rather than thinking of the holiday meal as something to “survive,” it helps to see it as one part of a full day.

1. Stable blood sugar starts long before the gathering ever begins. Eating regularly throughout the day instead of skipping meals to save up for the meal in the gathering, keeps the body from going into extremes later.
   

   Caregivers can support this by helping maintain usual routines instead of letting the holiday schedule disrupt everything at once.
   

2. Supplies should also be treated like essentials. Testing tools, medications, fast-acting snacks, and water should always be packed. Caregivers can help by creating a small holiday diabetes kit that travels easily and removes last-minute stress.
   

3. Rather than reacting to food choices in the moment, it helps to think about blood sugar balance across the entire day, not just during the holiday meal itself. Planning ahead allows both the person with diabetes and the caregiver to make thoughtful adjustments without feeling restricted later. If a dessert or sweet holiday tradition is something to look forward to, it can help to keep earlier meals lighter on starches. Choosing meals centered around lean protein, vegetables, and healthy fats earlier in the day can create more flexibility when it is time to enjoy a treat. Caregivers can support this by helping prepare balanced meals ahead of the gathering and by making sure the person with diabetes does not feel pressured to “save up” food in unhealthy ways.

During The Gatherings

1. Eating too quickly can cause overeating. According to the CDC, the body takes about 20 minutes to let you know it is full. Slowing down, pausing between bites, gives the body more time to respond.
   

2. Alcohol can interfere with blood sugar. It can cause levels to rise or drop hours later. It's best to skip or keep intake very limited. Remember, avoiding or limiting alcohol does not mean stepping away from the celebration.
   

3. Rather than feeling pressure to try all the food at once, it can be more satisfying and safer for blood sugar to choose one favorite in the moment and save the rest for another day. Letting the host know you would love to take home some food later allows the celebration to continue without overeating.
   

4. Holiday meals often come with rich sauces, heavy dressings, and layered toppings that quietly add a lot of sugar and fat. Be mindful when adding them to your meal.
   

5. Using a smaller plate can also shift how the meal feels. A full smaller plate still looks satisfying, but it naturally limits portions without creating a sense of restriction.
   

6. How foods are eaten during a meal can influence what happens to blood sugar afterward. Begin with proteins and leafy green vegetables before your starches and simple carbohydrates such as sweets.
   

   
   
   
   

After the Gathering

1. The moments after a holiday meal matter just as much as the meal itself. Walking for at least 10-15 minutes can help lower your sugar levels.
   

2. Sleep often gets overlooked during the holidays, yet it plays a major role in blood sugar stability. According to sleep.com, partial sleep deprivation over one night increases insulin resistance, which can in turn increase blood sugar levels.
   

3. Holiday schedules, crowded gatherings, and emotional expectations can all add layers of stress. When stress levels rise, blood sugar levels often rise with them. Ways to help manage holiday stress include setting realistic expectations, keeping some parts of your normal routine in place, and allowing yourself to take short breaks when gatherings feel overwhelming.

Small, thoughtful decisions made throughout the holiday gatherings can add up to steadier blood sugar, less stress, and a more joyful holiday experience.

---

This article was made by  Elder Love USA.

As the only nonprofit agency in California offering home care services, we are dedicated to providing compassionate affordable in-home care.  

All caregivers undergo thorough background checks and training with certification.  

Our rates are lower than other providers thanks to partnerships, donations, grants, and revenue from our cleaning program.  

Our caregivers can assist with personal care, shopping, cooking, transportation, housekeeping, and case management.  

We proudly serve Riverside County, CA, San Diego County, CA, San Bernardino County, CA, Orange County, CA, Imperial County, CA, and Phoenix, AZ. 

If you’d like to learn more about how our services can benefit you or your loved one, contact us today.

Learn More