Christmas and the arrival of a New Year is a time of joy, celebrations, family gatherings, and feasting. But that doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself of fun if you have diabetes. The important thing is to prepare yourself, know what you can eat safely and what you should avoid. Get oriented with these tips we share with you: If you're invited to a party or gathering

Eat a healthy snack before heading out. If you go to a party on an empty stomach, it’s harder to control yourself.
Make a plan. Once at the party, examine the options before serving yourself, and make a mental note of what you will eat and in what quantities. Choose healthy foods and serve yourself small portions that fit your mental plan.
If it’s a buffet-style meal, serve your plate and walk away from the table to avoid temptations.
Avoid foods like turkey or meats with gravy, or glazed hams. Choose lean meats, and if you select chicken or turkey, don't forget to remove the skin.
Choose side dishes and vegetables that do not have sauces or dressings made with butter, cream, sugar, or mayonnaise. The best options are fresh or frozen low-sodium vegetables with light sauces.
Savor the food. If you eat slowly, you reduce the chance of overeating.
Drink water. It’s healthy and has no calories. Second option: low-calorie beverages, like sparkling water, unsweetened tea, or diet sodas.
Do not drink alcohol unless your doctor allows it. If permitted, drink it with food.
When it comes to desserts, stay away from high-fat, high-cholesterol, and high-sugar cakes and pastries. Fresh fruits are much healthier.
Focus on your family and friends and the activities of the party, not on the food.
Take a walk after the meal. If there’s dancing at the party, do it. It’s a great way to burn calories.

We recommend: Christmas Recipes If you are the host

If you’re serving meats, cook them in the oven or grill them. Avoid fried foods.
Increase the amount of fiber. As sides to the main dishes, serve whole grain breads, vegetables, legumes (beans, lentils; peas; chickpeas, etc.)…
Lighten sauces and dressings. Use low-fat mayonnaise, dressing, sour cream, etc.
Serve fresh or canned fruits (without added sugar) instead of cakes and ice creams. Or transform a high-calorie dessert by substituting whole milk with skim or low-fat milk.

Don't let diabetes prevent you from participating in the festivities. If you decide in advance what you will eat, you don’t have to become a party pooper, questioning every bite you take. As you can see, the key is to make a defined plan, serve yourself healthy foods in small portions, and not go back for seconds. And all of this is possible with a little control and willpower.