Managing diabetes: 3 things all diabetics must keep in mind this Diwali

Diwali is often called the ‘festival of lights’, but can easily also be called the ‘festival of sweets.’ People often take it as an opportunity to consume sweets minus the guilt. And why not? Most of us spend the whole year being careful of our sugar intake, and Diwali is that time of the year when we can afford to let go. But if you are diabetic, then managing diabetes becomes your primary concern during this season.

Diabetes is an autoimmune disease related to the body’s inability to process blood sugar. Hence, those who suffer from diabetes have to regulate their sugar consumption to ensure that they can avoid a sudden spike in their blood sugar levels.

Does this mean that diabetics should not partake in the festivities that Diwali offers? Not at all! Diabetics just need to take care of their habits during the festive season.

They must keep these three things in mind when celebrating Diwali:

1. Go for nuts and dry fruits, instead of sweets

Apart from sweets, you will also find boxes filled with nuts, such as almonds and walnuts during Diwali time. Not only can nuts and dry fruits make for a great way to avoid all that sugar, but are also healthy. Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that those diabetics who consumed nuts on a regular basis were less likely to develop heart diseases. However, ensure that you’re avoiding flavoured nuts, since they are full of preservatives.

2. Opt for sugar-free sweets

May sound like quite a parado, but if you do want to indulge in some sweets this Diwali, make sure they’re sugar-free. There are plenty of shops and brands that now offer some of our most loved sweets such as ladoos in the sugar-free version. Even with sugar-free sweets, you must ensure that you’re practising portion control.

3. Consume meals on time

All diabetics must stick to their usual meal timings to ensure blood sugar levels don’t get affected. During Diwali, most people tend to get busy with all the chores around the house, and meeting friends (even if virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic). It is very easy to lose track of time, and miss meals. Missing even one meal can derail the whole meal plan, and affect blood sugar levels. Hence, be absolutely careful about sticking to your meal timings even during Diwali.

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Practising these three things will go a long way to ensure diabetics can enjoy Diwali, just like others!