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Sweet switches
When you have type 2 diabetes, the holidays can be rough—party after party, you're surrounded by sweets! But munching and mingling doesn't have to turn into a dreaded chore. With some carb-smart swaps, you'll be able to keep control over your diabetes while still feeling the joy of the holiday season.
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Choose pumpkin pie over pecan
Pecan pie gets a double sugar boost from corn syrup and brown sugar. Grab a slice of pumpkin instead to save yourself 10 grams of carbs. Eat it slowly, and savor only a few bites.
Plus: Pumpkin pie is one comfort food that burns fat.
Try this recipe: Healthier Pumpkin Pie
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Choose dark chocolate over brownies
Just one satisfying ounce of dark chocolate has half the carbs of a sugar-loaded brownie. Bonus: The flavonoids in dark chocolate can provide heart-healthy benefits.
Related: 27 Healthy Chocolate Recipes
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Choose shortbread over a frosted sugar cookie
A shortbread square has 9 grams of carbs—75 percent less than a frosted sugar cookie. Go for shortbread with nuts to add protein and fiber.
Related: Diabetes-Friendly Dessert Recipes
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Choose salsa over creamy spinach dip
Add zip to your chip with naturally low-carb salsa (just 4 grams per 1⁄4 cup) instead of dip filled with mayo and sour cream. You'll also nix 120 calories and 14 grams of fat per 1⁄4 cup.
Watch this video: How to Make a Healthier Party Dip
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Choose fresh raw veggies as dippers over crackers
An ounce of wheat crackers has the same amount of carbs as about 2 1⁄2 cups of fresh veggies. You'll also reduce sodium and fat intake and get a vitamin and mineral boost.
Related: 24 Food Swaps That Slash Calories
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Choose bean-based spreads over cream cheese spreads
Opt for fiber-packed bean spreads like black bean dip or hummus. Fiber helps control blood sugar and will help you feel full longer so you're less tempted to overeat.
Try this recipe: Party-Pleasing White Bean Dip
Related: What Can You Make With a Can of Black Beans?
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Choose mixed nuts over snack mix
A snack mix with cereal, dried fruit and candy can have more than 24 grams of carbs per 1/2 cup. Plain mixed nuts, on the other hand, are packed with protein, fiber and heart-healthy fats and contain only 7 grams of carbs per ounce.
Related: Best and Worst Nuts for Your Health
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Choose a lemon sparkler over soda
A 12-ounce can of soda has 40 grams of carbs—all from sugar. (That's nearly 3 tablespoons!) Mix 4 ounces fresh lemonade with 8 ounces sparkling water to cut carbs and sugar by two-thirds.
Related: 10 Reasons to Give Up Diet Soda
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Choose oil and vinegar over bottled creamy dressing
Bottled dressings, especially light and fat-free versions, are often filled with sugar and salt. Vinegar and oils don't affect blood sugar.
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Choose boiled shrimp over fried
Ten large boiled shrimp have less than 1 gram of carbs and only 60 calories. You'll save 12 grams of carbs, 170 cals and 14 grams of fat. A tablespoon of spicy cocktail sauce adds only 3 grams of carbs.
