DEAR editor,

For your readers living with diabetes in the Vale, following a healthy lifestyle during the festive period can be a struggle, but it shouldn’t mean that traditional holiday foods are forbidden. People with diabetes can enjoy the occasional treat, like a mince pie or slice of Christmas pudding, as part of a healthy, balanced diet just like everyone else.

To help people manage their diabetes over the festive season, we have a special section on our website packed with tips and healthy recipes you can make yourself. There is also handy advice outlining how to keep an eye on your calorie intake at parties, guidelines for alcohol consumption and ideas for easy ways to create healthier versions of your favourite Christmas dishes, nibbles and treats.

We don’t recommend that people with diabetes or their family or friends buy ‘diabetic’ foods, such as ‘diabetic’ Christmas cake or ‘diabetic’ chocolate. These offer no special health benefit to people with diabetes and can still affect blood glucose levels.

They can contain just as much fat and as many calories as the ordinary versions. They may also have a laxative effect and can be expensive. It makes much more sense to have small amounts of ordinary festive foods instead and balance these with healthier recipes and snacks.

The other important thing to remember is to stay active, which will help to manage blood glucose levels – for example, wrapping up warm for a winter walk or getting out and about for your Christmas shopping. One or two high blood glucose readings shouldn’t affect long-term diabetes control, but people should aim to avoid persistently high readings.

For more information go to our website, diabetes.org.uk.

Dai Williams

Director

Diabetes UK Cymru