By FACHC | Updated November 2026
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and for bringing family, friends, and favorite foods together. For people living with diabetes, however, navigating a table full of stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet desserts, and holiday drinks can feel overwhelming.
The good news is that you don’t have to skip Thanksgiving traditions to keep your blood sugar on track. With thoughtful planning, balanced portions, and a focus on what matters most, you can enjoy a delicious holiday meal while supporting your overall health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), strategies such as portion control, meal planning, physical activity, and regular blood glucose monitoring can help people with diabetes navigate holiday gatherings successfully.¹³
Why Thanksgiving Can Be Challenging for People with Diabetes
Traditional Thanksgiving meals often feature foods high in carbohydrates, sugar, and fat. Stuffing, rolls, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, pies, and other seasonal favorites can raise blood sugar when eaten in large quantities.¹
Holiday celebrations may also disrupt normal routines. Late meals, travel, stress, lack of sleep, and decreased physical activity can all affect blood glucose management. The CDC recommends maintaining regular meal schedules and diabetes care routines during holiday gatherings whenever possible.
Build a Diabetes-Friendly Thanksgiving Plate
The CDC and ADA recommend filling half your plate with non-starchy vegetables, one-quarter with lean protein such as turkey, and one-quarter with carbohydrate-rich foods such as stuffing or sweet potatoes.²⁴⁵
Read more: Diabetes and Thanksgiving
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