Loading ...Facing this traditional pig-out Labor Day culture, however, are people with diabetes. The person with diabetes cannot recklessly consume and imbibe everything that comes his or her way. Big meals can cause dangerous sugary spikes, and alcoholic beverages can complicate issues. Here are some successful party tips for enjoying Labor Day food in a safe way.
The Grill Is Your Friend
First off, realize that grilling is a healthy way of cooking for people with diabetes. This process, done right, does away with much of the need (or want) for unhealthy sauces. In addition, grilling allows some of the fat and grease to drip away, creating a leaner an healthier meat.
What to Grill. What Not to Grill.
Obviously, not everything that goes on the grill is going to be good for you, especially when you have diabetes. Any set of successful party tips should also tell you what to grill.
- Try seafood. When you introduce your grill to shrimp, salmon, flounder, tilapia, trout, tuna, or even something like swordfish or shark, you will be enjoying a treat that you’ll come back to again and again. Oil your grill before beginning, especially if you’re grilling meaty fish, which should be placed directly on the grill. Other varieties of fish, particularly tilapia and trout, should be placed in a special grilling basket or just wrapped in foil. Don’t overcook the fish. Most fish is done when it is almost clear or opaque. Don’t wait until its flaky.
- Grill chicken. If you can bear the thought of dispensing with the traditional burgers and dogs, do it. Despite their succulent taste and sodium-rich juices, burgers and dogs rank very low in the “health” category. Chicken fares much better since it is a leaner meat. Keep your chicken moist by cooking it with the skin on. When you’re finished cooking, peel the skin away and toss it. Chicken skin is bad news for diabetes, since the high concentration of saturated fat can lower the body’s ability to respond to insulin.
- Try more vinegar. Barbecue sauce usually has a lot of sugar. And you know what a lot of sugar means for someone with diabetes. Instead of the sacrosanct barbecue, go for an alternate zesty sauce: vinegar-based. This is a little-known tip for people with diabetes, but eating vinegar before or during meals helps the body regulate blood sugar levels. Incorporate some vinegar into your sauces, marinades, salad toppings, or vegetables, and you may be able to help lower the side effects of a big meal.
- Grill veggies. Any collection of successful party tips for Labor Day wouldn’t be complete without the call to grill your veggies. Yes, your grill is more than just an ideal place to cook meat. It is also a magic spot for making veggies more scrumptious. Some of the best grill veggies are zucchini, summer squash, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and portabello mushrooms. Fruit even does well. Grilled pineapple is a particular delicacy. For an extra stylistic flair (and plain good sense) put vegetables or fruits on a skewers. This keeps the morsels from slipping off the grate, and it helps keep the fruits or veggies together for creative combos and easy eating. Just rub with olive oil and season!
- Don’t overcook. No one likes chewing on a crispy piece of carbon that was once a juicy steak. Although there can be dangers in undercooked meats, there are also dangers in overcooked meat, especially on a grill. Overcooking meat can produce acrylamide and heterocyclic amines. You may not know what acrylamide and heterocyclic amines are, but be aware that they are classified as dangerous carcinogens–things which can cause cancer. Studies have been done which demonstrated that people who consistently ate medium-well or well-done meats were at high risk for stomach cancer and other forms of cancer. Besides this danger, overcooked meats are much harder for the body to break down and digest. When the body’s digestive system is slowed or interrupted, it makes matters worse for the person with diabetes who is carefully monitoring his or her blood sugar.
A Safe and Successful Party Tip for Labor Day and Alcohol
Remember, as you celebrate Labor Day, the most successful party tips are the ones that help keep you safe. Although Labor Day is a great excuse for many people to drink a whole lot, you should know that this is not a smart idea if you have diabetes. Although alcoholic beverages are not on the never-list for people with diabetes, caution is advised. “Moderation,” the mantra for anyone with a penchant for good wine, is the way to handle alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can reduce the body’s glucose production. When this happens, hypoglycemia can set it, causing severe diabetic complications. Alcohol can also adversely affect some diabetes medications as well as insulin injections. Just a little bit of alcohol can have an affect on your body for hours afterwards. If you struggle with the “just one more” syndrome and have diabetes, you may be best advised to stay away from alcohol entirely. You can have an enjoyable Labor Day without it.
With these successful party tips for Labor Day, you should be well on your way to having a thoroughly enjoyable event. Keep these tips in mind, splurge on some good eating, and have a great day off work!
By Daniel Threlfall
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