Diabetes Care During Festivals: Smart Eating, Lifestyle Tips And Sujok Therapy To Keep Sugar In Check

Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels. In type 1 diabetes, pancreas produces little or no insulin and in type 2 diabetes, body resists insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin. During festive seasons, overeating sweets, fried foods, and irregular routines can cause spikes blood sugar levels. With your regular medicine, you can use below given tips.

Symptoms

• Frequent urination

• Excessive thirst and hunger

• Fatigue or tiredness

• Blurred vision

• Slow wound healing

• Unexplained weight loss (mainly in type 1)

• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet

Causes

• Insufficient insulin production or poor insulin response, in case of insulin dysfunction

• Genetic factors and family history of diabetes

• Unhealthy lifestyle like sedentary habits, processed food, high sugar intake

• Obesity and belly fat can increase insulin resistance

• Stress and poor sleep affects hormone balance and glucose metabolism

Managing diabetes

Smart eating choices

• Choose small portions of sweets — prefer homemade with jaggery, dates, or stevia

• Include fiber-rich foods (salads, vegetables, whole grains) to slow glucose absorption

• Eat protein with every meal (paneer, lentils, nuts) to maintain satiety

• Avoid sugar-laden drinks, including sweetened juices or colas

• Keep meal timings consistent, avoid long gaps between meals

Stay active

• Go for 10-15 min walks after meals

• Engage in light physical activities like dancing or yoga to burn calories

• Try deep breathing or pranayama to manage stress levels

• Drink plenty of water and herbal teas with fenugreek, cinnamon, tulsi

• Avoid late-night snacking and ensure seven-eight hours of sleep

Monitor sugar

• Check sugar levels regularly — especially after festive meals

• Do not skip prescribed medicines or insulin doses

Home Remedies

• Soak fenugreek (methi) ¼ tsp overnight and drink the water in the morning — helps lower glucose levels

• Drink bitter gourd (karela) juice ½ cup fresh juice three-four times a week to improve insulin sensitivity

• Add ½ tsp cinnamon (dalchini) to warm water or tea daily to regulate sugar metabolism

• Eat amla (Indian gooseberry), which is rich in vitamin C; it enhances pancreatic function

• Neem leaves or jamun seeds powder help stabilise blood sugar levels naturally

Sujok Therapy

Apply green colour on the pancreas area of the left palm on highlighted area (see figure). Apply fenugreek seeds on the point; use medical adhesive tape to keep them in place. Gently massage the area for 15 minutes twice a day to stimulate pancreatic activity.

(Rajshree Vora is an obesity consultant, dietitian and nutritionist, Sujok therapist, counsellor, and yoga therapist. You can write to her at enquiry@rajshreeyoga.com)