It’s a thing. From Halloween through the holiday season and beyond — the calendar presents food laden landmines that can test anyone’s resolve. But no need to fret, side stepping these ever-present gastronomical temptations is a skill that can be developed.

First and foremost, focus on your friends and less on the food. Relationships are among life’s richest experiences, not the cool whip blanketed faux food desserts.

Don’t arrive at a party hungry. Eat an apple with peanut butter prior to leaving the house. This will enable you to circulate with the guests – eliminating the usual mad dash toward the appetizer table.

Speaking of the appetizer table, position yourself far away from these processed meats and salty snacks. Why you say?  Because these are typically the culprits for the never-pleasant gastrointestinal bloating and lower extremity edema.

Grab a drink to busy your hands and alternate each drink with water.  Only you will know there’s water in your red solo cup. For the diabetic population, it’s important to consume food along with an alcoholic beverage. (Alcohol consumption can affect blood sugars for up to 12 hours, so testing prior to going to bed is crucial; if the result is low – consume a carbohydrate snack.)

Contribute to the offerings. Pumpkin Hummus is a delicious and festive twist to a familiar party food.

When it’s time to eat, survey the options and make decisions as to how you’re going to use the real estate on your plate. Select a protein source, a healthy fat, and a source of fiber. A good rule of thumb is to fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables, 25% protein, and 25% complex carbs. Adhering to this plate model is especially important for the diabetic population.

Next, take your time. Eat your protein first, chew thoroughly and enjoy the food vs. rushing with the goal of going back for more. Taking your time, allows your body to signal you that it’s no longer hungry and helps avoid the tendency to overeat.

When it comes to desserts, find a friend to share something of interest. Sadly, many desserts today are pleasing to the eyes, but are quite deficient in the taste department. People with diabetes desiring dessert can exchange their complex carb for a portion controlled sweet.

As we approach Thanksgiving, the annual all you can eat extravaganza, think recipe modification. Recipe modifications can eliminate the need to sacrifice flavor – recipe modifications maintain the nutrients  and minimize the bankrupt calories and carbs. Try the maple roasted sweet potatoes. This version of sweet potatoes is not only crazy delicious, but it saves the consumer about 200 calories and 54 grams of carbs when compared to Mrs. Paul’s candied sweet potatoes.

So go ahead, prepare to launch into “the most wonderful time of the year”, but do so with your eyes wide open. Don’t be influenced by marketing strategies and food pushers. Distinguish between actual hunger and mindless eating just because it’s there. You be the decider as to what, how much, and when you consume – your 2023 body thanks you in advance.

Pumpkin-Spice Hummus
Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Savory Stuffed Pumpkins
Healthy Zucchini Muffins with Chocolate Chips