Methodist Health System | Methodist Mansfield Medical Center | Shine | Winter 2014-2015

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oh, no! If you have diabetes, the holidays
can be a tough time to stick
to your meal plan. Tough — but
not impossible.
“You can always enjoy the
occasional treat; you just have to
make sure you don’t make every
day a special occasion,” says John
Willis, DO, MMM, FACOI, internal
medicine physician at Methodist
Mansfield Medical Center. “Save
your cheat days for gatherings with
family and friends. If you know you’ll
be tempted by the sweets, limit your
carbohydrates for rest of the day.”
Handling holiday
meals when you
have diabetes
Eggnog and stuffing and
TO YOUR HEALTH ▸
The holidays have a way of bringing relatives together.
With such a captive audience, it makes this a good time to
learn about which health problems run in your family. Doing so
can help protect your own health.
For example, if a close relative has a condition such as heart
disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes or has had colorectal
polyps or women’s health issues, you may be at risk, too.
So bring a pen and notebook to this year’s gathering. Ask
your relatives — particularly your parents, siblings, children, and
grandparents — which health conditions they have and how old
they were when they developed them.
Knowing your family health history can help you and your
doctor take steps to reduce your risk.
Heading home
for the holidays?
TAKE NOTE
A great place to find a primary care provider is
or
by calling 877-637-4297.
Pack a pen and paper
4 Methodist Mansfield Medical Center • ❁ Winter 2014 – 2015