Expert Speak: 5 Tips to Keep Your Diabetes in Check

The festive season in India has taken off and in spite of the pandemic the country is preparing for celebratory mode over the next few months till the end of the yearWith Ganesh Chaturthi fast approaching the exchange of sweets and homemade Modaks and mithais are a top priority for every household It is one of the most prominent Hindu festivals in India Relishing sweet treats during the 10day celebrations will awaken the foodie in everyone health restrictions and diets will take a backseat However this can be a daunting time for those suffering from Diabetes or those with high blood sugar levelsIndividuals with Diabetes need to take special care while indulging in these gastronomical celebrations especially with all the sweet treats around To enjoy this Ganesh Chaturthi fearlessly Dr Tejal Lathia Consultant Endocrinologist Hiranandani Hospital VashiA Fortis Network Hospital shares five tips to help keep your sugar in checkCONTROLLING PORTION SIZE AND TIMINGThe key to effective Diabetes management is controlling the portion size the trick works best even when it comes to indulging those delicious Modaks Share the modak with someone When offered sweets by someone it may seem rude to refuse but taking half a laddoo or peda is an optionEating at regular intervals will ensure that cravings are kept away It is recommended to keep a 4hour gap between desserts to avoid any surge in blood sugarsOPT FOR HEALTHY SWEETS MADE OF NATURAL SUGARS OR SWEETENERSAs diabetes is now a common problem among individuals regardless of age sweet makers have consciously introduced the options of sugarfree Modaks or sweets made from natural sugar Although even natural sugar is not highly recommended for people with diabetes it is a far better alternative to processed sugar Hence look for sweets made of alternatives such as Jaggery Dates or Figs Jaggery is rich in Iron that also helps in cleansing toxins out of the body while Dates amp Figs provide the body with wholesome energy So though alternatives still have sugar they also have other nutrients that refined sugar does notMAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLESticking to your usual routine as closely as possible will help Do not skip your workouts and you may increase the workout intensity during the festive time to burn off the excess calories and tackle the sugar levelsEAT HEALTHY AND HYDRATEGanesh Chaturthi is not just about sweets but also fried snacks that come as a savory treat when you visit friends and family Opt for healthy snacks such as roasted makhana peanuts baked treats or grilled food if available instead of deepfried ones Similarly drink plenty of water and other healthy liquids like buttermilk and soups instead of aerated sugary drinksMONITOR YOUR SUGARLEVELS REGULARLYWith celebrations at home and the constant guests it is likely that you will forget to monitor your sugar levels Therefore it is advisable to always check your blood glucose levels before and after meals to monitor any fluctuations especially in festive times This will also give a fair idea if you must cut down on sweets altogether or reduce the quantity consumed for the next few weeks until levels are in controlThe fun and frolic of festivities shouldnt hamper your health adversely so remember to keep your Diabetes in check regularly to enjoy a hasslefree festive seasonCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever