Are You Ready For Some Football?

Football season is upon us…

Broncos vs. The Raiders September 8.

I invested my two bucks in the office football pool.

What about you? What about your investment in your diabetes lifestyle?

How are you going to deal with your armchair quarterback event or a tailgate party?

We’ve talked about diabetic diets before. It’s not about the diet.

The words healthy and lifestyle have replaced the word diet.

Decide what is the most realistic way for you to manage your diabetes.

The single most important part of your meal plan is CONSISTENCY.

Consistency in when and what you eat will help to maintain your blood glucose levels.

A healthy diet consists of:

Carbohydrates =45 to 65 % of daily calories

Protein= 15 to 20% of daily calories

Fats 20 to 35% of daily calories

Nutritious eating involves thought and planning. It may seem bothersome at first, but the benefits are long reaching.

The best way to plan for that football game is to simply do that..plan.

1. Make informed choices on what you will eat and drink.

2. Plan ahead.

3. Don’t pretend you don’t have a diabetic lifestyle to consider.

If you plan to toss back a few beers–plan.

Review the Battling Diabetes post on the topic.

Most sources agree that if your diabetes is well regulated an alcoholic beverage can be scheduled into your meal plan on occasion. Always consult your physician first to be sure your medication is compatible with alcohol. If you have neuropathies such as a compromised liver it is important to discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor as alcohol is metabolized mainly by the liver.

Alcohol should always be consumed with food because it is enters the blood stream rapidly and is metabolized rapidly as your body works to eliminate it. This will result in a drop in blood sugar which can be compensated for by food.

A review of your favorite alcoholic beverages:

• 12-ounce Beer-13 grams of carbs, 150 calories
• 12-ounce Light Beer-5 grams of carbs, 100 calories
• 6-ounces White Wine-1.4 grams of carbs and 120 calories
• 6-ounces Red Wine-3 grams of carbs and 128 calories
• 6-ounces Dessert Wine-21 grams of carbs and 270 calories
• Frozen Margarita-27 grams of carbs and 246 calories
• Gin and Tonic, 21 grams of carbs and 175 calories

Alternative noshing recipes for your football events:

Spinach Vegetable Dip

Simple Fruit Salad

Hummus Dip with Baby Carrots