Diabetes is characterized by high blood glucose levels and reduced ability of the body to produce and/or use insulin. The two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2, both result in high blood sugar levels if left untreated. Diabetes can be dangerous if it is not properly managed and lead to severe conditions such as diabetic neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy.

Including fiber rich food and fruits with less natural sugar in your diabetic diet, eating smaller meals at regular intervals and working out regularly are essential to control diabetes symptoms.

The holidays are enjoyable times where we celebrate with family and friends. It usually involves a lot of different types of foods and beverages. To focus on your diabetic diet during the holiday season can be especially hard.

Here’s where planning ahead will help you  make swaps or easy homemade versions of many of your favorite New Year’s Recipes. These tasty treats can fit into your diabetes diet and still satisfy your cravings. Diabetic drink recipes can provide a quick and easy way to get nutrients on the go. When you are living with diabetes, one wrong decision can cause big problems, especially when it comes to choosing what to drink.

The best drink for anyone is water, it doesn't have calories, sugar, or carbs, and is readily available. If you're after something tastier, though, you've got options for that too. Whether you’re throwing a huge New Year’s party or having a more intimate affair, here are some tempting, diabetes-friendly mocktail recipes using fresh fruits and sugar substitutes. Enjoy our favorite skinny mocktails that everyone will love.

Sparkling Pomegranate Mocktail

• Recipe Servings: 1 glass
• Prep Time: 5 mins

 

Ingredients

½ Cup Pomegranate juice
½ Cup Plain soda
1 Lemon wedge
Ice as required

How to make Sparkling Pomegranate Mocktail

1. Add ice to a glass
2. Pour in the pomegranate juice and plain soda
3. Squeeze one wedge of lemon into the glass
4. Mix well and garnish with a slice of lemon

(75 calories per glass)

 

Orange-Pomegranate Iced Tea

• Recipe Servings: 1 glass
• Prep Time: 5 mins

 

Ingredients

⅓ Cup Green tea (chilled

½ Cup Orange juice freshly squeezed

½ Cup Pomegranate juice

1 Lemon wedge

1 Orange slice (garnish)

Ice as required

 

 

How to make Orange-Pomegranate Iced Tea

1) Combine chilled green tea and pomegranate juice in one glass.
2) Add a few cubes of ice and pour in the orange juice.
3) Squeeze lemon into the drink and garnish with an orange slice.

 

(112 calories per glass)

 

Muskmelon and Watermelon Cooler

• Recipe Servings: 1 glass
• Prep Time: 5 mins

 

 

Ingredients

1/4 Cup Musk melon (kharbooj) chopped

1/4 Cup Watermelon (tarbuj) chopped

Ice as required

 

How to make Muskmelon and Watermelon Cooler

1. Combine the chopped muskmelon and watermelon and blend in a mixer.
2. To keep the fiber, do not strain.
3. Pour into a glass with ice and serve immediately.

(38 calories per glass)

 

Watermelon Apple Refresher

• Recipe Servings: 3 glasses
• Prep Time: 5 mins

 

Ingredients

2 ½ Cup watermelon (tarbuj) chopped

½ Cup Tomatoes chopped

1 Cup Apples (unpeeled) chopped

 

How to make Watermelon Apple Refresher

1. Blend the chopped watermelon, apples and tomatoes well in a mixer.
2. Add ice cubes in 3 individual glasses and pour the juice.
3. Serve immediately.

(19 calories per glass)

 

Sparkling Lime-Mint Quencher

 

• Recipe Servings: 2 glasses
• Prep Time: 5 mins

 

Ingredients

½ Cup lemon juice freshly squeezed

½ Cup mint leaves

2 Tsp honey

2 Cup plain soda

Ice as required

 

How to make Sparkling Lime-Mint Quencher

1. Add the lemon juice, mint leaves and honey into a glass, stir well.
2. Add ice to 2 glasses and pour the mixture into equal halves.
3. Top it with plain soda and add a few half slices of lime to each glass.
4. Serve immediately
   
   (76 calories per glass)

 

To make it easier to control blood sugar, it is important to eat a balanced diet and manage the number of calories consumed. This can be done by maintaining a healthy lifestyle of the right food choices, portion control, and regular exercise. Keeping a food journal / using an app can help keep track of what you eat and when. A blood glucometer can be used to monitor and keep in check your blood sugar levels at any time of the day as per your convenience.