As we come to the end of the year, India celebrates three to four major festivals in the months of October, November and December – we start our celebrations with Ganesh Chaturthi and modaks, Duressera and Malpua, Diwali and Ladoo, and end up with Christmas/New Year with cakes and wine.

If a person is diabetic, maintaining the blood sugar levels is also important because over a period of time, the average blood sugar levels i.e. HbA1c levels also increase. There are certain factors that affect blood sugar levels during the festival season.

• People tend to eat large serving sizes of food including sweets, savory, fried and fatty
  foods.
• Few people may indulge in alcoholic party’s
• People may be stressful especially females if they are hosting or arranging a party at home and involved in cooking and other preparation.
• Few people may also be too relaxed.
• Eating food at irregular timings. Fasting which leads to hypoglycemia and weakness.
• Feasting may lead to high sugar levels.
• Finally no physical activity.

Some tips to maintain healthy sugar levels

Healthy balance meal: Restrict high calories foods or simple sugars like rice, sugar, and fats. Consume high fiber vegetables and salads. A good portion of protein like lentils and pulses and a small portion of healthy fats.

• Concentrate on fiber-rich food like
• Wheat or broken wheat – Kichidi, Pulao, Pongal
• Millets like – Sama Chawal (Banyad millet) rice, Kichidi
• Amaranth flour – For Chapathi, Poori
• Buckwheat flour – poori, Dosa, Kichidi
• Rajgira – poori, Paratha
• Makhana – (Fox nuts) – Kheer
• Sighare ke atta – roti, Chapathi, samosa, poori. 
• If you are preparing sweets at home, prepare with skimmed milk instead of full fatted
  milk.
• Use jaggery instead of sugar
• For snacks, u can use roasted Makhana, peanuts, paneer, Sighare (water chestnuts), pumpkin seeds, Chanaa Sundal, Chivda instead of fried savory.
• Instead of deep-fried food opt for backed, grilled ones.

Controlling the portion size of the food we consume is also important and avoid second helpings. Pre-fasting meals can comprise complex carbohydrates and foods that have a low glycemic index such as whole-grain foods, lentils, and nuts.

Hydration: include plenty of water, soups, lassie and buttermilk which are safe for a diabetic.

Regular meal timings: follow the small and frequent meal pattern. Fasting or feasting should be avoided

Exercise: Regular exercise is important to burn the excess of calories consumed. If fasting, then excessive physical exertion must be avoided

Relax: tension or stress also may increase blood sugar. So pre-planning the party or function will reduce the stress levels.

Self-monitors and checking blood sugars: daily blood test is important at home.

Medication: consuming medicine on time also helps to keep the sugar level control.

Authors: Columbia Asia Referral Hospital (Yeshwanthpur) Chief Dieticians Pavithra and N Raj