The Christmas excesses are more detrimental in the people who suffer from diabetes.

the Spanish Diabetes society remembers that no forbidden foods, but it is necessary to have blood glucose under control.


-calorie food and alcohol consumption, as well as the discontinuation of the practice of physical activity, it is much more harmful for the patient with diabetes, not only because it makes it difficult to control blood glucose levels, but also because weight gain can be raise cholesterol and high blood pressure, factors that complicate this disease

– However, thirst recalls that diabetes is not a limitation to enjoy these dates, and recommends that patients plan their menus and follow the healthiest possible lifestyle

Madrid, December 2012.- Christmas is an era marked by increased social events and meetings around a table. This can lead to our usual routine is changed, something which particularly affects people with diabetes. Changes in the timing of meals, increasing the intake of more calorie foods and alcohol, lack of physical exercise, and even the reduction of the hours of sleep are aspects that break the balance between diet, exercise and medicationwhich entails difficulties in the control of blood glucose levels.

The Spanish society of Diabetes (thirst) warns that all these changes of habits can lead to hyperglycemia – high levels of glucose in blood – abusing food with calories and sugar intake and less exercise; and also sometimes hypoglycemia – low levels of blood glucose – due to mismatches in schedules meals or miscalculated in the administration of extra insulin. These problems to control blood glucose requires, in some cases, individuals with diabetes to seek medical attention. The excesses are much more harmful in people with diabetes, not only by make it difficult to control blood glucose levels, but also because weight gain increases vascular, such as cholesterol and hypertension risk factors; Therefore, thirst insists that no relax in terms of daily control of diabetes, though, that Yes, nor renounce our social life.

Moderation and control

The celebration of these dates does not mean that people with diabetes have to spend Christmas with great sacrifices, nor is it necessary to opt for a different menu from the rest of family and friends ”, explains Dr. Franz Martín Bermudo, Vice President of thirst and Professor of nutrition. otherwise – continues Dr. Martín Bermudo -, no food is forbidden, even the Christmas sweets; only need to consume them in moderation and always controlling and adjusting the intake calorie and carbohydrate based on physical exercise and medication ”.

People with type 1 diabetes, who continue treatment with insulin and maintain a healthy weight, will have to be more careful with foods rich in carbohydrates. In the case of diabetes type 2 with oral treatment and suffering obesity or overweight, in addition to carbohydrates, must be monitored more intake of fats and cholesterol from food. This mode prevents weight gain which increases vascular, such as cholesterol and hypertension risk factors.

These blackout dates may raise more than one question people with diabetes about what and when to eat or how to control blood glucose … these doubts causes some stress on the patient, something that does not help to control diabetes ”, concludes Dr. Martín Bermudo. For this reason, the Spanish society of Diabetes has developed a series of recommendations so that people with diabetes can enjoy some healthy Christmas celebrations.

Recommendations of the thirst for a healthy Christmas

1 Respects, to the extent possible, the timing of meals.

2. Don’t forget to take the medication and performs measurements of glucose more frequently.

3 Stay active. Dancing at parties or walking after meals are options for exercise in the company of our loved ones.

4. Never you must go to a meeting or excessively hungry food. Therefore, it is advisable to take a good breakfast, snack or appetizer before attending.

5. Once in the table, try to use smaller plates to serve you food less healthy or rich in simple carbohydrates and saturated fats.

6 Bets on salads and vegetables as a side dish. And, if possible, select plates with food grilled, baked or steamed.

7. Try to introduce fruit desserts. There are many very attractive options.

8. Trafficking of moderate consumption of alcohol, and, of course, always within meals. You can enjoy a good red wine or a cava brut nature ”, as dry as possible. Distilled alcoholic beverages (whisky, vodka, rum, brandy or cognac, liqueurs and brandies) should be reduced to a minimum.

9. Do not abuse of the sweets for diabetic ”, since these foods also provide saturated fat and calories.

10. If, despite everything, a day are committed excesses, it is important to not let go by inertia and seek the next day, return to healthy habits.

About thirst

The Spanish society of Diabetes – SED – is a multidisciplinary scientific organization that brings together 1,800 professionals in medicine (endocrine, endocrinopediatras, family physicians, physicians primary care, nurses, educators, biologists and other researchers).

The main objectives of the Spanish society of Diabetes are: supporting advances in prevention and treatment of diabetes; boost research and training of health professionals; and to promote the generation and exchange of knowledge at national and international level in order to contribute to the improvement of expectancy and quality of life of patients with diabetes.

thirst for the patient with diabetes is the center of all action. But, in addition, thirst is committed to reaching all the citizens with messages that stimulate the prevention and awareness of the dimension of diabetes.