5 Surprising Ways To Have a Sugar-Safe and Guilt-Free Thanksgiving

By Kaitlan Foland | November 14, 2017 4:37 pm Follow @kaitlanfoland

The Thanksgiving holiday is a time of celebration, tradition and family—but also food, and in reality, food may play just as big a part in depicting your family traditions and celebrations as the holiday itself. However, it’s not always a one-size-fits-all situation.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and on average, Americans may consume more than 4,500 calories during a typical holiday gathering. But you shouldn’t let that stress you out! If you are one of many who have Type 2 Diabetes there are plenty of options to help you navigate the sugar-filled waters this holiday season.

According to Virta Health, an online specialty medical clinic that helps patients reverse Type 2 diabetes through positive dietary changes. Here are Virta’s top 5 tips to have a healthy, but tasty, Thanksgiving:

Substitute Healthier Versions of Classic Favorites

Rather than trying to avoid foods you love, concoct low-carb alternatives, like mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes, or sugar-free pecan pie.

This pie combines sweet and tart flavors with fresh fruit to create a unique but familiar offering that celebrates traditional seasonal ingredients with trendy twists such as pomegranate arils. It also makes a beautiful centerpiece for the dessert table if it is made with multiple pear types.

Honey, Pomegranate and Pear Pie//Lance Mellenbruch of The Food Channel

Dont Try To Push Your Urges

You can’t control your cravings, but you can control your reaction—so notice and accept the urges, since ignoring or suppressing them will make them even stronger.

Take A Break Halfway Through Your Meal

Check in with yourself, and note how you’re feeling emotionally and physically, especially how full you feel. If you don’t stop to pay attention, you can be unaware of what your body is trying to tell you.

Timothy Eberly//Unsplash

Go Easy On The Alcohol

Intoxication makes it harder to resist food urges and temptations, so drink a full glass of water between drinks to mediate its effect.

Never Shame Yourself

If you slip up, don’t self-shame—that will only lead to giving up and eating more. Instead, take deep breaths, actively comfort yourself, and focus on what you want to happen next.