People living with diabetes and those trying to prevent Type 2 Diabetes can have a difficult time at family gatherings and celebrations. There’s a lot of tempting food around and it’s easy to overeat.


When you’re getting ready to go to a family gathering or celebration and you know there’s going to be a lot of food around, planning ahead really helps.


Just by knowing ahead a little bit about the menu allows you to plan in advance the foods that are going to be easier to fit into your meal plan.

If you’re not sure what’s being served ahead of going to a special event, check it out when you get there. 

Take small bites of the things that you think you might like so you can save your portions for the things that taste the best.

Family gatherings and celebrations are special times to enjoy. Don’t deprive yourself.

You don’t need to totally abandon your meal plan, but you can take some liberties and most importantly eat slowly and savor every bite. 

Don’t go overboard but choose the most important foods that you really want to enjoy.

Here are some tips for eating healthy at family gatherings and special events. 

Have a light snack or something to eat before you arrive, so you’re not so hungry and tempted to overeat.

If it’s appropriate, such as a potluck, bring a dish that you know you really enjoy and that fits into your meal plan.

At the event, fix one plate. Step away and enjoy that plate while you’re visiting with family members and friends.

Quench your thirst with water instead of soda or juice. And, limit the alcohol. It’s double trouble. Alcohol adds calories and it enhances your appetite.

At celebrations, dessert is frequently the highlight of the event. Plan for it by eating more vegetables earlier in the meal, and saving calories and carbohydrates for a sliver of pie to add to a plateful of fruit.

Special events are not all created equal. Some are more important than others. And at some the food will be better than at others. Know in advance what’s really worth enjoying. 

Don’t completely abandon your meal plan, but eat like a gourmet and savor it.

To learn more about eating healthy at family gatherings and special occasions, visit www.yourdiabetesinfo.org.

I’m Robin Edelman and with a little bit of planning you can enjoy eating healthy at family gatherings.