Holiday Cooking for Diabetics
By: Ginger | November 13, 2009 | Category: Health
I used to hate to cook. In fact, the word “hate” may not accurately describe my old feelings towards cooking. On my “Least Favorite Things in the World” list, I considered cooking ranked right between explosive diarrhea and having my eyeballs fried in oil. Not that I have ever had my eyeballs fried in oil, but a girl can imagine.
The only things that I could cook were spaghetti and tater tot casserole. We ate these things a lot. I used to joke that we ate so much tater tot casserole that my husband had nightmares about giant tater tots chasing him. The other thing we did was eat out a lot and I confess, we ate way too much fast food.
Then I was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes. After a period of denial, I got a grip. I realized that I had to alter my old habits. I began watching cooking shows and browsing through cookbooks. Inch by inch and culinary misstep after misstep, I taught myself to cook. It started out that I was doing this to learn to help manage my diabetes, but now, I also do it because I really LOVE to cook! And, I think it must be said, compared to my old cooking skills, I am a total rock star in the kitchen!
I used to dread cooking for holidays, but not anymore. Every year I try a few new recipes. I try lots of new ingredients and new ways of making dishes. Anyone who cooks for the holidays has to think about and plan a balanced menu. Being a diabetic means you do the same, but diabetics really have to pay attention to carbohydrates, fats, and sugars.
Fortunately, there are so many holiday tips, recipes, and resources out there to help:
- A Diabetic at the Thanksgiving Table
- Diabetes: Navigating the Holidays both Happy and Healthy
- Diabetes Diet #5: A Sweet Thanksgiving
- Elegant Holiday Recipes That Are Healthy, Too
- Healthy Thanksgiving Dinner with Diabetes
- Holiday Meal Planning
- How to Cook Thanksgiving for a Diabetic
The government offers these resources to help diabetics year round with recipes and tips:
- Diabetic Diet
- Diabetes Meal Planner
- FCIC: Diabetes Recipes
- South Dakota: Healthy Diabetes Recipes and More
- Tasty Recipes for People with Diabetes and Their Families
- USA.gov search results page
Now, if I could only make myself LOVE housework. Oddly enough, I really do enjoy cleaning toilets... I'm sure Freud would have something to say about that! LOL! Anyway, if you cook for a diabetic and have any comments, tips, or recipes to share, I would love to hear from you!
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