Although it seems as if the Jolly One lives on cookies and will outlive us all, the mere mortals on the list who get checked once (twice) on how naughty or nice they have been all year also have to think about just how many cookies, cakes and everything great will be consumed, especially during the Christmas season. The American Diabetes Association states that the timing of each meal plays an important part in maintaining diabetes. Large meals at random times are a typical occurrence during the holidays, and planning ahead makes sure that a person can make adjustments if meals do not happen during their regular meal schedule.

Insulin injections or pills to lower blood glucose taken near the normal mealtime prevents a reaction caused by low blood glucose. Being more physically active more than usual also prevents this. Doing something with the family such as talking a family walk or playing touch football with the neighborhood kids makes it more fun and will not exclude one from family time.

It must be noted that individuals who have type 1 diabetes should not exercise if ketones are present in urine and their fasting blood glucose is over 250 mg/dl. Those with type 2 diabetes should not exercise if fasting blood glucose is above 400 mg/dl. Heavy lifting is typically never recommended, and blood glucose levels should be monitored before and after exercising, and during, to play it safe.

If someone with diabetes has control of the meal items, it places them at an even higher advantage. Using light or fat-free sour cream instead of regular, steaming vegetables instead of sautéing them in butter and using less sugar in the fruit pie are small things that do not affect taste much but make a great difference for a diabetic watching their blood sugar.

Carbs run rampart during holiday feasts, and the high sugar content of these foods make them one to watch out for. Watching blood sugar levels means choosing one or two carbohydrates instead of them all, or taking very small samples of each one if its too hard too choose. Fried and high-calorie foods should never be indulged upon, and Christmas time is no exception.

Avoiding sweets that seem to be everywhere may not be necessary, but it is important for someone with diabetes to take very small portions, and only if they have taken the above precautions. Altered holiday recipes of old favorites taste as great; Diabetic Gourmet shows that a shortbread cookie using 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup corn oil (or canola oil), 2 tablespoons sugar, 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract only contains 90 calories, 9 mg of cholesterol and 9 g carbohydrates. An apple pie using 7 large apples, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1 tablespoon of margarine and 1/2 cup fruit sweetener has 298 calories, no cholesterol and 42 g carbohydrates.

Minor alterations to everyday lifestyle as well as to the typical Christmas meal keeps the diabetic happy, healthy and able to fully enjoy the festivities. These simple remedies do not remove one from the family, and does not require bringing down the mood with dietary restrictions— or from the emergency of an improperly maintained blood sugar level.