Diabetic Diet: Kicking Candy Canes to the Curb?

You’ve likely watched all of your Christmas movie favorites this season: It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, Elf, and many more. Time off during the holidays often means a steady diet of television viewing and sugar-filled treats. If you are striving to maintain a diabetic diet, you may be anxious to get through the holiday season, and kick all of the sweets—candy canes included—to the curb! Your feet will thank you, since diabetes can be devastating to your foundation.

Type 2 diabetes is greatly affected by diet and exercise. In fact, some people are actually able to reverse the condition by closely monitoring what they eat and exercising often. Each food choice impacts a person’s blood sugar, so what can you do to stay on track?

While it may be hard, choosing foods without refined sugars is important to maintaining stable levels of blood sugar. Sugar-related spikes can be extremely dangerous, so caution is not overkill. Plan ahead and be wise – make special occasion treats the exception rather than the rule.

Fruits that are lower in sugar can help to satisfy your sweet tooth. Try cherries, blackberries, or cantaloupe. Remember, not all fruits are created equally. Some – such as pineapple, oranges, and grapes – contain a lot of sugar, and are not recommended for a diabetic diet.

Diabetes can result in poor blood circulation, peripheral neuropathy, slow healing times, and other complications of the feet. Making wise food choices today can save you from devastating foot conditions down the road. At Foot & Ankle Associates, we can answer all your questions about diabetes and foot health. Call 888-784-5335 to schedule an appointment at one of our Texas locations: Sugar Land or Houston. You can also request an appointment online.
Photo Credit: Stuart Miles via FreeDigitalPhotos.net