Black Friday—it’s the day when retailers rake in the bucks as consumers everywhere throng to the stores to take advantage of holiday sales. It’s the biggest shopping day of the year for retailers, but for people with diabetes, it can be a real challenge. Need some strategies to help cope with this exciting yet stressful day? Keep reading.

Be Prepared
Always bring your needed medication and supplies with you when on an extended shopping trip. This includes healthy snacks to give you a boost if you feel your energy levels sagging. Check your blood glucose more frequently than usual to be sure that it is within a safe range.

Oh, My Aching Feet!
Light exercise like walking offers excellent benefits for your health. It can reduce stress and improve glucose control. But this marathon shopping can be h-a-r-d on the feet. Shoppers may end up walking for miles from one end of the mall to the other and back again. Know when you need to take a break. Sit down as often as needed to rest your tired feet. It’s also a good idea to wear shoes and socks that are designed for people with diabetes. They can help alleviate the stress on your feet and keep you from getting blisters. Finally, check your feet thoroughly when you get home for calluses or injuries.

Eating on the Go
Where do you usually end up eating when you’re bustling through the mall? The food court. Don’t let bad food choices spell disaster for your diabetes management. One way to cope is by deciding what you’re going to eat beforehand and then looking for that item at the various restaurants. Most places offer something healthy on the menu; use your willpower to choose that grilled chicken salad instead of a gigantic slice of pizza. Other things you can do to deal with mall food? Watch your portion sizes. Split an entrée with a shopping buddy, or wrap up half of that oversized sandwich to take home. Don’t be shy about asking for special preparation or substitutions if needed, even at a busy counter. Your health is too important to fret about causing a minor inconvenience to the people serving you. And if you’re the type who likes to “shop ‘til you drop,” don’t forget to eat! Eating on your regular schedule is crucial for maintaining blood sugar levels.

Black Friday doesn’t have to leave a black mark on your health. With a little preparation and a lot of common sense, you can enjoy the day…and maybe even come away with some bargains!

Black Friday is the infamous shopping frenzy that occurs the day after Thanksgiving. This day can easily turn into more of a stress than a pleasure for someone with diabetes. If you or a loved one needs a boost to get through this hectic season of shopping and socializing, try B-Clear Diabetic Energy Drink. This all-natural vitamin supplement will give you a healthy boost to help keep you going for hours.

If you have a loved one with diabetes, why not give him or her the gift of better health this year? Perhaps it’s been awhile since he or she upgraded to the latest technology in diabetes care, or maybe there are new products out there that he or she might enjoy. Consider giving one of these thoughtful gifts to show how much you care.

• Glucose Monitors – We carry dozens of glucose monitor kits and accessories from top-quality manufacturers such as Accu-Chek, Ascensia, BD and many more. Whether you’re looking for a portable monitor or one for home use, we’ve got what you need. And here’s a real holiday bargain: purchase test strips and get a FREE Advocate Blood Glucose Monitoring System, a FREE True Track Smart System, or a FREE Accu-Chek Diabetes Meter Kit.


• Testing Accessories – Sometimes it’s the little things that can make life so much easier. Why not give your loved one a new carrying case, a log book for tracking self-testing results, or even some diabetes management software?


• Diabetic Foods – Stuff your loved one’s stocking with some tasty treats from American Diabetes Wholesale this year. We offer delicious sugar-free candies from Go-Lightly and D-Lectable, with flavors ranging from Dulce du Leche and Cappuccino to Sour Lemon and Butterscotch. Fruit chews, toffee, and vanilla caramels are sure to delight! Don’t forget about our nutrition bars, fruit spreads, and dessert dips and mixes, too.


• Foot Care Products – Give your loved one the gift of comfort with shoes, socks, and foot creams designed especially for people with diabetes. They’ll thank you for the pampering!

Roasted Vegetables

Serves: 4

Nutritional Analysis:
One 3/4-cup serving (prepared without salt) equals: 80 calories, 13 mg sodium, 0 cholesterol, 14 gm carbohydrate, 2 gm protein, 3 gm fat

Food Exchange: 1 vegetable, ½ starch, ½ fat

Ingredients:

• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 1 large zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 1 large sweet red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon each dried basil and oregano OR 1 tablespoon each minced fresh basil and oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Source: www.RecipeGoldMine.com