Diabetes: Staying Motivated Through the Holiday Season

October, November, and December have to be hands down the trickiest time of year if you’re a diabetic.  Between dodging dessert at every corner, festive parties, seasonal pop-ups, and extra travel, navigating the seasonal hustle and bustle is no easy feat.  

All of these changes can wreak havoc on one’s blood sugars, leaving anyone, but especially diabetics, walking into the new year doing damage control.  Instead of chalking it up to the holidays, why not take a different approach this year?  Keep reading if you’re a diabetic who needs a little nudge (or pep talk) to remember why staying on track this time of year is more important than ever.

What is HbA1c?

HbA1c.  If you have diabetes, then you’ve likely heard about this test at your doctor’s office, but do you know what it means?  Let’s refresh.  Hemoglobin A1C (commonly abbreviated to HbA1c or even A1c) is the test used to diagnose diabetes.  It’s also common practice to use it to monitor blood sugar readings to determine medication changes and the progression of the disease.  This is why it may be taken about 4 times per year.

The main thing to remember is that it looks at a 90-day (or 3-month) average of your blood sugars.  This means depending on when your next doctor’s appointment falls, these three holiday-filled months (Oct., Nov., & Dec.) could be included in your averages.

Here’s Why It’s Important to Stay on Track

Keeping your carb intake controlled through the holidays will help your HbA1c to be a more accurate interpretation of your typical blood sugar levels.  Remember that this test gives your medical provider insight into what’s going on with your levels so they can better assist you in managing your diabetes. 

If you choose to get off track on your eating during the holidays (and we’re talking way more than just one off-day), then you will likely have to wait until your next test results to know your numbers. That means a total of 6 months will have gone by without any real feedback and for some, that’s precious time they don’t want to waste.

What Should My Goal Be?

Your HbA1c goal will be individually set by your healthcare provider.  However, the CDC explains that most diabetics aim for a HbA1c goal of 7% or less.  This means when you check your blood sugar throughout the day, you’re likely getting a reading around 154 mg/dL. 

Another detail to remember about HbA1c is that it is an average.  This means someone with steady blood sugars could get the same reading as another person whose blood sugars are swinging high and low throughout the day. For this reason, it’s often advised to check your blood sugars throughout the day – like before and after meals.

How Lose It! Can Help:

With anything health-related, but especially with medical conditions, you have to be your own advocate.  Beyond lab values, understanding what you eat and how your body processes it is crucial. We may be a little biased, but using the Lose It! app can be a great place to begin.

Here are a couple features within our app to know:

• How to Track Net Carbs
• How to Add a Note
• How to Track Steps

7 Tips For Managing Diabetes During the Holidays:

Use these 7 registered-dietitian-created tips to help you navigate the holiday season.

1. Use the Plate Method
2. Limit alcohol
3. Stay on schedule
4. Have a plan for sweets
5. Adjust your go-to recipes
6. Get moving
7. Log your food in Lose It!

For more details on these tips, visit our previous blog: 7 Tips For Managing Your Diabetes During The Holidays.