Football fans around the nation are gearing up for the Big Game this Sunday, waiting to see who will emerge victorious in the match between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots. But in the midst of all the pregame planning, it’s important not to lose sight of keeping your diabetes in control on game day and during the surrounding festivities.
That’s why Mike Golic, retired NFL star, former cohost of ESPN’s Mike & Mike in the Morning, and person with diabetes, has teamed up with the American College of Endocrinology (with support from pharmaceutical company Merck & Co.) to help people with diabetes have a healthy party. Here are Mike’s tips:
1. Pitch in. Bring a healthy dish to the tailgate that you know you will enjoy. That way, you are guaranteed to have one diabetes-friendly dish for the game!
2. Put a healthy spin on an old favorite. Instead of munching on fried potato chips during the game, try this recipe for seasoned pita chips from MerckDiabetes.com. The chips are baked instead of fried, which is more heart healthy — this is so important for people with Type 2 diabetes because we are at a 2 to 4 times greater risk for heart disease. [Editor’s Note: Also check out these delicious — and healthful — recipes for great appetizers and snacks from DiabetesSelfManagement.com.]
3. Don’t get too caught up in the game. I know how riveting [the game] can be, but it is important to remember to have healthy snacks throughout the day (think: commercial breaks!) to keep your blood sugar at an appropriate level, especially if you have Type 2 diabetes.
4. Share your knowledge. When family and friends are gathered together, take the opportunity to share your knowledge about diabetes management, particularly with family members that may have the disease themselves. I encourage my loved ones to visit www.BloodSugarBasics.com for valuable resources on diabetes.
5. Get in the game. Sure, watching football is fun on Super Bowl Sunday, but why not get together with a group of friends for some touch football? Exercise is one of the best ways to manage your Type 2 diabetes. [Editor’s Note: Click here for more about exercising with diabetes.]
Enjoy the game!
This blog entry was written by Web Editor Diane Fennell.