Diabetics can eat healthy for the holidays

Holiday celebrations offer temptation for partygoers to abandon healthy nutrition habits, but calorieladen festivities pose a special challenge to the 20 million Americans who have diabetes.

"The key to successfully navigating the holiday season is to remember that even though you can take a holiday, your diabetes never does," said Dr. Philip Barnett, director of the Anna and Max Webb and Family Diabetes Outpatient Treatment Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Diabetes, the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, is a metabolic disorder that affects the way the body uses and stores glucose (sugar). People with diabetes should avoid an overabundance of sugary desserts and rich foods and follow a regular exercise routine, said Barnett. "People with diabetes can enjoy the wonderful foods of the holiday season- only in moderation. Regular exercise and sensible daily meal planning should be especially important during the next few weeks," Barnett said.

Barnett offers the following:

•Follow a regular exercise routine to help regulate metabolism. Remember, after a holiday meal, to wait 60 to 90 minutes before taking a walk.

•Eat something at home before going to the event or party. Hungry people are more likely to choose foods that are less healthy.

•Enjoy those special holiday foods in moderation. Pass on the everyday foods like crackers and dip. Instead, take small portions of special holiday items.

•At parties and other social events, gravitate toward the veggies and fresh fruit.

•Make water or diet sodas the beverages of choice.

•Remember to monitor blood glucose levels, and don't skip meals.

•Take extra care to be certain that meals are nutritious, varied and balanced.

•Be positive. Remember that you control your diabetes- it doesn't control you.

According to Barnett, several hundred people in America develop diabetes every day, but an estimated onethird of those affected go undiagnosed for several years.

Symptoms of diabetes include extreme thirst, frequent urination and blurry vision from time to time. Early symptoms of the disease include unexplained weight loss or weight gain, as well as fatigue.

For more information, call (310) 423-3870.