Celebrating the Holiday Season with Diabetes
The Doctors are joined by Dr. Phil McGraw to help people with diabetes get a better understanding on how they can partake in the holiday season without compromising their health.
Dr. Phil, who has been a type 2 diabetic for 25 years, tells ER physician Dr. Travis Stork that his approach to the holidays is the same as any other day.
“I’ve got a plan and it doesn’t change if it’s holidays or non-holidays,” he explains. “I work with the support of my treatment team. That includes my healthcare professional, my wife, family members… I have a trainer, a nutritionist. I get a lot of information off of certified websites.” Dr. Phil says that during the holidays, it’s important for those with diabetes to stick with a healthy diet, exercise and continue to take your medications.
Watch: Diabetes Myths with Dr. Phil
Dr. Phil and Dr. Stork answer some viewer questions about diabetes and the holiday season. One viewer inquiries about how to stay on track with all of the snacking that happens during the festive season.
“Don’t ever let yourself get famished,” Dr. Phil says of how to prepare before showing up at a holiday event. Dr. Stork recommends talking with your doctor about what snacks may be right for you.
Another viewer wonders how to best control your sweet tooth during the holidays?
Watch: Derek Theler’s Struggle with Diabetes
“You have to program yourself for success and you do that by making a plan and then educate people around you to support you,” Dr. Phil says. Dr. Stork adds that diabetics need to watch portion sizes at holiday events and parties.
In order to help other manage their diabetes, Dr. Phil partnered with AstraZeneca for the ON IT Movement to educate the 28 million Americans who are living with type 2 diabetes. The ON IT Movement aims to empower people to take control of the disease with tips, information and support on making lifestyle changes to help manage their type 2 diabetes.
For more information on Dr. Phil's partnership with AstraZeneca and how to manage diabetes, visit www.onitmovement.com.
