Advice for people with diabetes celebrating Diwali

Diabetes UK

Diabetes UK is offering advice and support for people in Rochdale who are planning to celebrate Diwali on Sunday 3 November.

The festival of Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a five-day festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil.

For people with diabetes, Diwali can feel like a daunting prospect because eating sweets, such as laddoo, barfi and halwa, is a traditional way of celebrating and the high sugar and fat content can affect blood glucose levels and weight management.

But according to Diabetes UK, people with the condition do not have to mean these sweets are forbidden and they can be enjoyed by everyone in moderation.

Jenne Patel, Diabetes UK Equality and Diversity Manager, said: “Diwali brings family and food together to celebrate and is an important part of the culture life, so just because you have diabetes, it doesn’t mean you should miss out.

“You might be making lots of different stops to see family throughout the day, so consider portion sizes and try to eat smaller portions or small bites rather than full meals. Keep a count of what you eat as it can be easy to lose track.

“You can make some small changes to make traditional recipes healthier, for example by replacing sugar with sweetener, using semi-skimmed or skimmed milk instead of full fat milk and using less oil for any fried foods. Also, choose healthier desserts such as fruit salads and low fat fruit yoghurt.”

“If you have a blood testing monitor, don’t forget to test your blood glucose levels more during the festivities and before every meal to make sure they don’t get too high.”

For more information speak to a healthcare professional or call the Diabetes UK Careline on 0345 123 2399 or visit www.diabetes.org.uk