Rachel From Cupcakes Take the Cake on Flickr

It's Turkey Day. A day full of family, gratitude, and carbs. From the sweet potato casserole to the pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving Day is filled with carb-laden goodies that can wreak havoc on blood sugars.

This year will be my second Thanksgiving with the pump. I don't even remember handling last year's Thanksgiving challenges. However, I do remember Christmas very vividly.

Since I was new to the pump last Christmas, I didn't really understand how to handle holiday meals. So I decided to make it up as I went along. Instead of carbs throughout the day, I cut my carbs to only the main course and dessert (of course!) so that I'd be taking less insulin overall.

I avoided the carb-y appetizers and drinks, opting for vegetable trays and unsweet tea instead. Then the main entrees arrived, so I piled on the food and piled in the insulin. Before I'd even finished half of my meal, I was feeling full. Too much bolus was already in though. Within a few minutes, I was feeling low.

This year's holiday season will hopefully go smoother. Now that I'm familiar with extended boluses, I should be able to easily enjoy my meal without worrying about highs or lows. Hassle-free holidays are the way to go.

I'll most likely use a dual wave bolus over two hours with the start about fifteen minutes before my first carb intake. From there, I can increase or decrease the bolus if necessary. Since I do not have to cook this year, I won't need to adjust my basals any for the increased activity.

Now, it's time to enjoy the sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie! Happy Thanksgiving!