Christmas should raise your spirits, not your blood sugar

Dietitians from Ben’s Natural Health have shared four classic Christmas treats and how to enjoy them in a more blood-sugar-friendly way.
If you’re living with diabetes or another health condition, it’s still important to track how these foods affect your own glucose levels.
1. Christmas Pudding with Greens and Custard
Before dessert, start with a small serving of vegetables with olive oil and vinegar. For example, a simple salad or some cooked greens with a vinaigrette. The fiber and acidity help slow how quickly sugar from the pudding reaches your bloodstream. When you serve dessert, go for custard made with milk and eggs instead of just heavy cream or brandy butter. Custard adds protein, which helps buffer the high-carb pudding.
“For Christmas pudding, think: veggies and vinegar first, custard instead of only cream, and a short walk after,” says the expert.
2. Gingerbread as a Balanced
Dessert Plate, Not a Solo Snack
You can keep the gingerbreads on the menu by turning them into part of a balanced dessert plate instead of a stand-alone snack.
Serve two or three small gingerbread cookies alongside:
A scoop of Greek yogurt or skyr
A small handful of nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pecans)
Optional: slices of orange or apple for extra fiber and a bit of acidity
Aim to eat a few bites of yogurt and nuts first, then alternate with the cookies. That way, protein, fat, and fiber are already in your system when the sugar arrives. “If gingerbread is the only thing in your stomach, your blood sugar will feel it,” explains the expert. “Pairing it with yogurt, nuts, and some fruit turns it into a more balanced dessert, so you still get the festive flavor without such a sharp spike and crash.”
3. Panettone as Protein-Rich French Toast or Parfait
Panettone is often eaten in thick slices with coffee, especially at breakfast, which can mean starting the day with a big glucose spike. Instead, build protein into the way you serve it.
Two festive ideas:
Panettone French toast
Dip thin slices of panettone into a mixture of egg and milk, then pan-fry until golden. Serve with Greek yogurt and berries instead of syrup. The eggs and dairy add protein and turn the sweet bread into part of a more complete meal.
Panettone parfait
Cut a small slice into cubes and layer it in a glass with thick yogurt, chopped nuts, and berries. In this version, panettone becomes the crunchy topping rather than the whole dish.
4. Mince Pies, Cheese-Board Style
Mince pies are traditional in many countries over the holidays. They’re also very concentrated in sugar and refined carbs. The trick is to change how you serve them, not cut them out completely. Instead of grabbing one in passing, serve a mince pie cheese-board style:
Place one mince pie on a small plate with
A piece of cheddar or another firm cheese
A few walnuts or almonds
Optional: a few slices of pear or apple
“A mince pie on its own is a sugar and starch bomb,” says the expert. “But if you put it on a plate with cheese and nuts, and eat those first, you add a protective layer.”
A spokesperson from Ben’s Natural Health adds: “Holiday desserts don’t have to be off-limits if you’re watching your blood sugar.
"For most people, the goal is following smarter patterns like pairing sweets with protein and fiber, avoiding constant grazing, and adding a bit of movement after rich meals. Those small adjustments can make a big difference to your energy, mood, and long-term health.”
This story was provided https://www.bensnaturalhealth.com/