Your Guide to Thanksgiving with Diabetes: Real Voices and Helpful Strategies

For many women, Thanksgiving is a day of connection, tradition, and gratitude. It can also be a day that brings up mixed feelings when you are living with diabetes. There is the food, the family dynamics, the planning, and the constant balancing of needs, emotions, and expectations.

At DiabetesSisters, we believe that stories create belonging. When we hear from other women who truly understand the journey, we feel less alone and more supported. Women across our community consistently tell us that lived experiences are among the most valuable resources we offer.

This Thanksgiving, three women living with type 1 diabetes — Karen, Alejandra, and Ashley — share how they navigate the holiday with honesty, intention, and grace. Their reflections remind us that there is no single “right” way to do Thanksgiving with diabetes. There is only the way that works for you.

Karen: “Thanksgiving Is My Chance to Count My Blessings”

40+ years living with Type 1 diabetes
Karen is a woman living with Type 1 diabetes and serves as the Senior Project & Program Manager for DiabetesSisters.

For Karen, Thanksgiving is a moment to pause and reflect not only on family and tradition but on how far diabetes care has come. She feels grateful for today’s tools, including her CGM and automated insulin delivery system. She also holds awareness that not everyone has access to these technologies, which deepens her sense of gratitude.

Her relationship with holiday food has changed over the years. As a teenager, she remembers the sting of being given sugar-free desserts that did not match what others enjoyed. Today, carbohydrate counting gives her more flexibility. She has also learned something important:

“Just because I can eat something does not mean I have to or even want to. I choose what will help me feel good, both emotionally and physically.”

When family members make comments about her food choices, she responds with kindness. Sometimes she educates. Other times she simply thanks them for caring and assures them that she knows what she needs.

Her advice for anyone newly diagnosed:

“If your holiday diabetes management plan doesn’t go the way you intended, remember that it is just one day. Give yourself grace, and start fresh tomorrow.”

Alejandra: “I Created My Own Thanksgiving Tradition Filled With Intention and Joy”

34 years living with Type 1 diabetes
Alejandra is a woman living with Type 1 diabetes and is the Hispanic Lead for DiabetesSisters, supporting Spanish-speaking women nationwide.

Thanksgiving was not part of Alejandra’s upbringing, but it has become one of her favorite celebrations in the United States. She loves the slower pace, the shared meal, and the spirit of gratitude. Diabetes brings awareness, but it does not diminish the joy of the day.

Her approach to the meal is thoughtful and flexible. She enjoys small portions, makes intentional food choices, and removes guilt from the equation. When hosting, she creates dishes that support her health. When visiting others, she brings a dessert she is excited to enjoy.

She begins her morning with meditation and journaling, which helps her release expectations and stay grounded. After the meal, she invites guests on a walk to enjoy movement, conversation, and connection.

Misunderstandings about diabetes no longer rattle her.

“Most comments come from a lack of understanding, not bad intentions. I use those moments to teach with joy.”

Her message to women facing their first Thanksgiving with diabetes is powerful:

“Your glucose may run higher today, and that is okay. You are celebrating. Be kind to yourself. And please remember that you are not alone. There is a whole community ready to support you.”

Ashley: “For Me, Thanksgiving Is All About Balance”

20 years living with Type 1 diabetes
Ashley is a woman living with Type 1 diabetes and leads marketing for DiabetesSisters, helping shape how we connect with women across the community.

Ashley describes Thanksgiving as a joyful day rooted in tradition, family, and gratitude. She also acknowledges that the holiday meal can feel overwhelming at times when living with diabetes. What helps her most is a focus on balance rather than restriction.

She begins every Thanksgiving morning with yoga. This is her grounding ritual, a moment to reconnect with her body and breathe before the excitement of the day begins. It helps her approach the holiday with calm and intention.

Food choices are another place where Ashley practices balance. Her favorite dish is Thanksgiving dressing, which can cause your blood glucose to rise quickly because it has a lot of carbs. Instead of avoiding it, she pairs it with plenty of protein and vegetables to reduce its impact on her blood glucose.

“I choose the foods that matter most to me,” she says, “and then I balance them with foods that help me feel good later.”

Dessert is also a space for mindfulness. Instead of eating a full slice of pie, she enjoys a small portion so she can savor the experience without feeling uncomfortable later. This year, she is making a bourbon pecan pie for her family and plans to enjoy a small bite instead of avoiding it altogether.

Her family also helps her feel supported by keeping low-carb snacks like cheese and nuts on hand. They also have orange juice available in case she has a low blood glucose episode. These thoughtful gestures make the day feel easier and more comfortable.

Her advice for someone spending their first Thanksgiving with diabetes is compassionate and encouraging:

“Let balance be your guide. Choose what you love, pair it with what supports you.”

What These Stories Teach Us

Across their unique backgrounds and traditions, these three women highlight powerful themes.

Grace helps more than perfection.

One meal does not erase your hard work.

Joy and intention can exist together.

You can savor meaningful foods and still support your health.

Emotional care is essential.

Movement, boundaries, journaling, quiet time, or moments of gratitude can shape the whole day.

Community makes the journey lighter.

Feeling understood and supported is one of the strongest needs women express, and it is at the core of DiabetesSisters’ mission.

As You Move Into the Holiday, Remember This

You deserve a Thanksgiving filled with connection and joy, and one that is free of guilt. You do not have to aim for perfection. You only need to honor what feels right for your body and your energy. Your diabetes experience is unique and worthy of compassion.

And you never have to navigate this holiday alone.

If you want support during the holidays or throughout the year, our DiabetesSisters Meetups, resources, and community programs are here for you and other women navigating life with diabetes.

Explore DiabetesSisters Meetups
Find resources created for women
Connect with a community that understands

From all of us at DiabetesSisters:
We are grateful for you. We are here for you. We wish you a healthy and happy Thanksgiving, in whatever way feels right for you.