Having a Diabetes-Friendly Valentine's Day
Whether your Valentine is your spouse, your child or your best friend, Feb. 14 is synonymous with sugar.
To have a diabetes-friendly Valentine's Day, then, it takes some planning ahead and prep work to make sure you can indulge in the fun without going overboard.
So if you're celebrating as a family or spending some time with your one and only, make sure you do so safely.
Drinks
One perk of Valentine's Day? It pairs well with champagne - which tends to be low in sugar and carbohydrates (depending on the variety).
If you're cozying up to the bar with your sweetheart, avoid chocolate-infused specialty cocktails and stick with beverages like dry white wine, red wine or spirits (just avoid sugary mixers).
Also make sure to eat something (preferably protein paired with some healthy fat) if you're drinking alcoholic beverages - this will keep your blood sugar more stable.
Dinner
A V-Day dinner can be fun to cook together, and luckily it's not hard to make a romantic diabetes-friendly meal. Check out our collection of diabetic recipes.
If you're eating out, say no to the bread basket and opt for a protein-based dish with vegetables (ask your server to replace starches, like rice or potatoes, with an extra serving of veggies).
Dessert
Candy doesn't have to be completely off limits on Valentine's Day, but you should know how much you can safely consume without disrupting your blood sugar.
Read nutrition labels and monitor your blood glucose closely if you are going to indulge.
Homemade desserts can also be a great way to splurge without worrying about counting calories or carbs at a restaurant. Try one of our dessert recipes, which are diabetic-friendly, festive and decadent.
Gift Ideas
Another good way to have a diabetes-friendly Valentine's Day is to focus less on the food and more on fun experiences or non-food gifts. Instead of chocolates and candy, treat your loved one to a day at the spa, a nice piece of jewelry or an outing somewhere new.
For the Kids
If you have a child with diabetes, Valentine's Day can take on a whole new meaning. How can you help you kids navigate the sugar-filled holiday?
It may be good to check in with your child's teacher to see if candy will be allowed in the classroom and, if so, how you can best handle the situation.
Diabetic kids can also enjoy many sugar-free candies, which are available at most large chain grocery stores or can be bought online.
Help your child join in on the fun safely, or provide a non-food treat you can enjoy together, like a trip to the movies or a new toy.
Source: Joslin.org