How To Support Loved Ones With Diabetes This Holiday Season

Posted On: November 7, 2024 Posted By: Cheryl Wolfe

The holiday season, with all of its busy family gatherings, bustling shopping days, and jam-packed social calendars, should be a time to celebrate and show gratitude for the ones we love. However, for those managing type 2 diabetes, this time of year might bring up additional challenges - for example, planning ahead for festive meals, avoiding overindulgence or certain foods, and working to maintain blood sugar levels outside of a more controlled routine. They may also face uncomfortable social situations and conversations about their health or feel the need to explain their food choices to unfamiliar faces who may question them.

Facing these added pressures can be difficult, reminding us that managing diabetes goes beyond food choices—emotional support from family and community is equally important. Offering mindful support to your loved ones with type 2 diabetes during this period, and always, can make a significant difference in their well-being. In that spirit, we have put together a comprehensive Diabetes Guide For Supporting Loved Ones that provides 15 practical tips on how you can be a more thoughtful advocate, especially during the holidays when social pressures and abundant food choices can make things harder. Below are a few of the ways you can help. For the complete list, download our guide.

Offer Encouragement and Understanding - not criticism

One of the best ways to learn how to be a supportive friend or family member to someone managing diabetes is by simply asking them what they need. Every person’s experience navigating their condition is different; you can learn a lot by listening to your loved one and observing the various choices and personal preferences they employ to help them move forward day-to-day. It’s especially important to encourage and empower these choices, rather than criticize or condescend. After all, they likely have a team of healthcare professionals who consult with them about how to manage the disease; therefore, you can be most useful by offering reinforcement and emotional support when they need it most. Resist the urge to give advice, and be sure to respect their privacy if they’d rather not discuss the details of their treatment.

Studies show that patients who receive positive social support are more likely to adhere to diabetes treatment protocols and successfully cope with their disease than those who perceive a lack of social support. Encouragement and understanding from within one’s own community are not only vital tools to aid in the everyday management of type 2 diabetes, but they’re also particularly helpful in times when stress levels tend to be higher than usual, like the holidays.

Foster Inclusivity

You can greatly reduce the holiday burden for a friend with diabetes by taking some small, but actionable, steps to help them navigate certain situations more easily. For example, including them in holiday meal planning or choosing recipes they can enjoy may offer peace of mind and ensure they’ll have nutrient-rich options to enjoy at the table too. You might also ask about any low-glycemic dishes they’d like to contribute for the festivities, or research and prepare a low-glycemic version of one of their favorite dishes. This can help them feel less isolated amidst the sugary temptations of the season, and let them know you value their involvement in the celebration. You can also opt for activities that don’t focus solely on eating - consider outings like nature walks, going to the beach, creative hobbies that everyone can enjoy.

Download Our Guide For 15 Ways To Support Loved Ones With Diabetes

The holiday season may come once a year, but managing diabetes requires daily effort and commitment. Because having the support and understanding of family and friends may make a difference in this journey, we’ve compiled a list of 15 helpful tips to help you become a more confident ally and advocate for your friends and family members with diabetes. Download and share the full “Diabetes Guide For Supporting Loved Ones,” and may your holidays be filled with good health and good

If you’d like to learn more about how L-Nutra Health can help manage and treat metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes through personally-guided, science-backed nutrition programs, explore our programs or book a free consultation.

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