Thanksgiving is in two days, and if you have diabetes, it's important to make a plan now for how you'll get through the day. You see, even one day of going off your diabetic meal plan can throw your blood sugar out of whack. In turn, that can make it more difficult to keep your diabetes in control. And that can lead to a cascade of foot symptoms, including neuropathy, ulcers or even amputations.
Even if you don't have diabetes, it's important to eat mindfully on this holiday. After all, we see our biggest spike in gout cases the day after Thanksgiving (and the day after the big February football game.) Now, the reason for post-Thanksgiving gout cases is linked to consuming purine-rich foods (including Turkey). In turn, levels of uric acid may become concentrated in your body, causing crystals to form and leading to excruciating pain that's often first felt in your great toe joint.
So, if you're worried about gout, you may want to skip the Turkey on Thanksgiving. (Or at least eat it in moderation.) But if you're diabetic and trying to stay on track during the holidays, choosing turkey and fresh sides like salads and roasted veggies is a great way to enjoy the feast without compromising your disease control.
Of course, this late in the game, many people have already planned out their Thanksgiving menus. (And even completed all their shopping trips.) But if you're running a little behind schedule, DON'T PANIC! We’re here to share with you a recipe for the perfect centerpiece of any meal, the Turkey! And if you're in need of further help, head to our Thanksgiving diabetic recipe board on Pinterest for full menu inspiration! 
Diabetic Friendly Recipes: Herb-Roasted Turkey from Eating Well Magazine
Let's get you prepped and ready to make a lean protein for your Thanksgiving feast. Low on carbs and plenty filling, choosing to eat more of this protein and less of those mashed potatoes and pies will go a long way toward staying on the right path with your diabetic health. Here's what you'll need to prepare the perfect Thanksgiving turkey!
Ingredients:
- 1 10-12-pound turkey
- 1/4 cup fresh herbs, plus 20 whole sprigs, such as thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano and/or marjoram, divided
- 2 tablespoons canola, oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- Aromatics, onion, apple, lemon and/or orange, cut into 2-inch pieces (1 1/2 cups)
- 3 cups water, plus more as needed
Preparation
- Position a rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat to 475 °F.
- Remove giblets and neck from turkey cavities and reserve for making gravy. Place the turkey, breast-side up, on a rack in a large roasting pan; pat dry with paper towels. Mix minced herbs, oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the herb mixture all over the turkey, under the skin and onto the breast meat. Place aromatics and 10 of the herb sprigs in the cavity. Tuck the wing tips under the turkey. Tie the legs together with kitchen string. Add 3 cups water and the remaining 10 herb sprigs to the pan.
- Roast the turkey until the skin is golden brown, 45 minutes.
- Remove the turkey from the oven. If using a remote digital thermometer, insert it into the deepest part of the thigh, close to the joint. Cover the breast with a double layer of foil, cutting as necessary to conform to the breast. Reduce oven temperature to 350 ° and continue roasting for 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 hours more. If the pan dries out, tilt the turkey to let juices run out of the cavity into the pan and add 1 cup water. The turkey is done when the thermometer (or an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh without touching bone) registers 165 °F.
- Transfer the turkey to a serving platter and cover with foil. (If you're making Herbed Pan Gravy, start here.) Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes. Remove string and carve.
- Equipment: Large roasting pan, roasting rack, kitchen string, thermometer
Further Support for Diabetic Foot Health
When you're living with diabetes, following a physician-approved meal plan is a great step towards protecting your feet from complications. But it can't be the only action you take. Instead, proper diabetic foot care requires daily at-home foot checks, along with regular, comprehensive exams in the office. Have you fallen behind on these in-office visits? We're here to help, not to judge. Before the holiday season gets the best of your schedule, reach out to Houston podiatrist Dr. Andrew Schneider to request an appointment. When you come into the office, we can screen you for developing foot issues and help set you up for health and success, through the holidays and beyond!
