Entering the New Year with Diabetes
Celebrating New Year is pointless without celebrating good food and the sense of fulfillment it brings along. With Christmas and New Year marking the holiday season, diabetics find themselves a little confused about managing their diet as well as exercise regime. Not only do they have to ignore the inviting desserts but also be equally thoughtful about the carbs and calories ideal for their health while taking a serving of their favourite dish from the food table.
However, people with diabetes can still make the most of the festive season and enjoy those New Year feasts, without stressing much.
But for a change, first we will help you with the treats you can enjoy while welcoming the New Year.
Enjoy Guilt-Free Indulgence
- Apple Nut Tart
1 large (or 2 small) fresh and juicy apple, peeled, cored, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
5 sheets pre-made fillo (phylo) dough
Cooking spray, butter flavor or regular
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons raspberries
1 teaspoon sugar substitute or sugar (optional)
1. Start by preheating oven to 350°F.
2. Combine and stir apple slices and cinnamon in a bowl. Take out the fillo dough packet carefully from the box. Once you unfold the spreading sheets on a flat surface, start by taking one sheet at a time. Transfer onto another area of the flat surface and coat it lightly with cooking spray. Spread another sheet over it and coat with cooking spray. Repeat till a set of 5 single sheets are obtained.
Now cut the fillo sheet into six squares using a sharp knife. Take a 2 ounce muffin pan and coat it with cooking spray. Press squares into prepared muffin cups.
Fill the center with apple filling and one teaspoon of walnuts. Garnish with raspberries and sprinkle sugar (optional). Bake for 20-25 minutes.
This recipe makes six delicious tarts. Per tart nutritional value:
83.5 calories
2g total fat
No saturated fat
17g carbohydrate
3.5g sugar
2g protein
1g fiber
No cholesterol
77mg sodium
- Star Shaped Sugar Cookies
To make around 4.5 dozen cookies
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup orange juice
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sprinkles
Sift together flour, sugar and baking powder in a bowl. Take a separate large bowl and combine oil, orange juice, eggs and vanilla using an electric mixer on low speed. Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients until dough forms and starts to pull away from the edge of the bowl. Now cover the dough with a moist cloth and place in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.
Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a non-stick cooking spray and roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness, cut to desired shapes and place an inch apart on cooking sheet. Roll out the extra dough and repeat process until all cookies have been formed.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are brown. Let cool for 10 minutes.
Nutrition Information (per cookie):
Calories: 71
Total Fat: 3.5 grams
Saturated Fat: 0 grams
Total Carbohydrates: 9.5 grams
Protein: 1 gram
Sodium: 13 grams
Cholesterol: 8 grams
Fiber: 1 gram
- Kentucky 95
What you Need
3/4 ounce Maker's Mark or other good-quality bourbon
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce fresh orange juice
3/4 ounce simple syrup (see below)
Champagne or other dry sparkling wine, chilled
Lemon twist, for serving
Method
Mix bourbon, lemon juice, orange juice and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and shake for 10 seconds with 6 ice cubes. Pour into a wine glass and top with champagne and a lemon twist.
Simple Sugar Syrup
Mix 1 cup sugar with water and bring to boil and cook for a minute until the sugar is completely melted. Remove from stove and transfer to a container with a tight lid. Refrigerate until cold and enjoy the delicacy.
Basic Precautions To Maximise Celebrations
Despite the indulgence, people with diabetes can enjoy New Year time simply by keeping an eye for food for diabetes and monitoring blood sugar levels. Diabetes care is all about observing what you eat.
Apart from cutting down on portion size during the celebrations, it is also good idea to eat light yet healthy whole grains before going for the New Year party. Have nuts and fruits as snacks to prevent yourself from binging on the festive goodies. Prefer lemon water and green tea over those calorie and sugar loaded aerated drinks.
Take out at least 30-50 minutes during the festive time to exercise even if it means a simple brisk walk. This will help burn the calorie load from food not part of your diabetic diet and increase your insulin resistance. Monitor your blood sugar regularly using the glucometer.
Have a Healthy and Happy New Year 2018!
