Health professionals from Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust are encouraging people with diabetes to take steps to look after their condition whilst still enjoying themselves over the Christmas and New Year period.

With the festive season fast approaching, it is by nature an indulgent time with many people happy to eat things they would normally avoid during the rest of the year. Whilst you might want to be aware of what you are eating, having diabetes does not need to stop you from joining in with the festive fun.

Lisa Rowe from Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Southport and Formby Diabetes Team said:

“Christmas and New Year is a time when people often attend parties and visit family and friends. As a result, we may eat things we’d probably avoid during the rest of the year and we could all eat up to 6,000 calories on Christmas Day alone! However, we have a few simple tips to help you to enjoy yourself while reducing the impact on your weight and diabetes control.”

Top tips for people with diabetes during the Christmas and New Year

• For starters try melon or smoked salmon which provides omega 3 fats to keep your heart healthy

• Keep your Christmas dinner healthy with lots of veg, turkey without the skin and use your vegetable water for making gravy (skim as much fat off as possible)
• More information and recipes for Christmas can be found on the Diabetes UK website www.diabetes.org.uk.

• Serve low fat custard or crème fraiche with the Christmas pudding, or try making a reduced sugar festive trifle instead
• When having nibbles, opt for olives, nuts and vegetable sticks with low fat dips
• Keeping active can help to control your blood sugar levels, so why not take a walk after your Christmas dinner
• If you take medication for diabetes or other health conditions, ensure that you have ordered your prescription in plenty of time
• If you are on insulin and are unsure about how to manage your condition over Christmas, get in touch with your diabetes team for advice

If you have Type 2 diabetes and would like to get help on how to best manage the condition, diabetes structured education sessions in Southport and Formby are held at a variety of locations, days and times in order to be accessible to a wide range of people.

Diabetes and You is the group which is aimed at those people who are newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. It provides valuable information about diabetes in a relaxed setting and many participants have found being in a group with other people with diabetes very helpful.

People with more established Type 2 Diabetes (or those who have already attended Diabetes and You) are recommended to attend the Diabetes and More group because it provides more in-depth knowledge for those who already have a basic understanding about diabetes. Both groups help participants understand more about their condition, and the important role that lifestyle changes can play in reducing their risk of long term complications.

To find out more, you can contact the Diabetes Education Office on 01704 387271.

Alternatively, speak to your GP, practice nurse or health care professional for a referral. If you would prefer to email, contact: lcn-tr.diabetesandyou@nhs.net or lcn-tr.diabetesandmore@nhs.net.

For general advice on any form of diabetes, call the Diabetes UK Helpline on 0345 123 2399 or visit www.diabetes.org.uk.