DF Holiday Gift Guide

It’s about to be the most wonderful time of the year which means there's no better time to dust off my tiny elf hat and serve up some health-related gift ideas (that you may want to add to your own wish list!).

So, here we go;

1. Digital Food Scale: I always say “to manage, we must measure”, and that is most certainly the case when concerned with blood sugar control and weight management. Having a digital food scale to calculate carbs, protein, fats, and total calories is an absolute must. Be sure to use it in combination with a daily food-tracking app such as MyFitnessPal for better tracking.

2. High-Quality Protein Powder: Most people rarely get enough protein daily. Protein is an extremely important aspect of blood sugar control and ensures a fast and flexible metabolism. Aiming for 1 gram of protein per body pound per day is a great place to start. When purchasing a protein, look for a product with 25 grams or more of protein and less than 1g of sugar and carbs per serving to help supplement.

3. Body Tape Measure: The scale is an abusive relationship and it’s common for people to put way too much importance on the number that they see. Measuring your body once a week is really the best way to see if you are getting results. The key areas are the neck, chest, stomach, hips, thighs, calves, and biceps. Using a tape measure like this one makes the job much easier.

4. Vitamin D3: Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that is a significant regulator of immune function and plays an important role in preventing respiratory infection. Enough said. Aim for 5000iu a day and consume with a source of fats for greater absorption. Personally, I’m a big fan of NOW brand supplements.

5. Fanny Pack:  An absolute must-have for any T1D in the wild. The one shown is my personal favorite, and I will admit that I have a healthy collection of them. This one has a low profile while providing lots of room for insulin pens, strips, tips, and dex tabs.

6. Insulated Blender Bottle: I absolutely love the new insulated blender bottles. They provide the same all-day-long “coolness” as a Yeti, but at half the price. These are great for protein shakes on the run, or to use as your water bottle. I literally don’t leave home without mine!

7. Glass Meal Prep Containers: Preparation is the key to long-term blood sugar control and any nutrition program. Having a good stockpile of glass meal containers is a must. I like to do two meal preps a week, one on Sundays and another on Wednesdays. I chop and dice all of my veggies for omelets, boil eggs for snacks, and bbq a bunch of whatever meat that I can find on sale. Using glass means that I can heat the food right in the container without worrying about chemicals leaching from plastic into my meals.

8. Cooler Bag: While your retro lunch box or fancy shopping bag may work to get your lunch from home to the office. Having something like this allows you to pack multiple meals and snacks for a day in the park or on a much-needed road trip. Packing my meals while on the road ensure that my numbers stay stable and I don’t break the bank.

9. Egg Central: I love this little bad boy so much that I own two of them and have gifted three or four. These things are great for boiling, poaching, and making omelets. They take up very little space and give a whole new meaning to “set it and forget it”. You won’t be disappointed!

10. Percussion Massage Gun: Santa brought me one of these a couple of years ago and I just can’t imagine living without it. I use mine after every workout to keep my quads and hamstrings loose which keeps my knees pain-free! 

Happy Holiday Shopping!