As the holiday season begins, it may seem like you're facing a never-ending parade of off-limits snacks and candies. But before you start to feel left out, consider how you can enjoy some of the rich, sweet tastes of the season in moderation and still stick to your plan. When you carefully apply carbohydrate counting and portion control, you no longer have to look at certain foods as "forbidden." Try these approaches.

Sample in Moderation

Going cold turkey on sugary treats may only strengthen the temptation and lead to binge snacking. Instead of depriving yourself, enjoy treats in moderation, carefully choosing only the sweets you want the most.

Strike a Sweet Balance

If you want dessert tonight, you'll have to cut carbohydrates earlier in the day. Allow yourself to enjoy sweets at special occasions by decreasing the number of carbohydrates elsewhere in your meal plan. You may also want to reduce the carbohydrates you have at dinner just before your dessert. Be sure to monitor your blood sugar levels if you are making adjustments to your daily carb intake, diabetes medication, and/or insulin dosage.

Plan for the Party

Keep track of upcoming parties and get-togethers by marking them on a calendar. This will help you plan in advance to adjust your daily meals, medication, and testing times to accommodate the holiday schedule. It's perfectly acceptable to ask a host what foods will be served. And when you know you'll be testing blood glucose after the party, you'll be more likely to stick to your plan.

Provide a Nutritious Dish

Bring your own recipe to the party. Volunteer to bring diabetes-friendly sweets that everyone can enjoy, such as a tasty fruit dish or a sugar-free gelatin dessert.

Share the Sweets

Here's a portion-control tip: Share the slice of pie or brownie with a friend. You'll relish all of the flavor from dessert without getting an excessive number of carbohydrates from a single dish.

Save Some for Later

At home, put the leftover portion of any dessert away in the cupboard or even in your freezer. If a snack needs to be thawed to be enjoyed, the temptation to indulge won't be as strong. Just like the old adage says: out of sight, out of mind.