The Best Diet for Diabetes

Many feel that having diabetes will require them to eat special foods and follow a difficult dietary plan. This is untrue. Diabetics can eat a variety of foods in moderate portions. If you stick to certain meal times and include healthy items such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains, you can enjoy life the way those without the disease do.

Plan Ahead Of Time

Figure out which foods you want to eat and the amount you want to consume on a weekly basis. Develop a routine and eat your meals at approximately the same time every day. This will help keep weight and blood sugar under control. If you eat food at irregular times, you may find it more difficult to keep glucose levels where they should be.

Carbohydrates

If you take diabetes medicine or insulin, counting carbohydrates is a key part of meal planning. They should account for about 50 percent of all daily calories consumed. The timing and the amount of carbs you eat each day should be consistent to keep blood sugar under control. It may be necessary to employ the expertise of a dietitian to do this. If you take insulin, a dietitian can tally the amount of carbs in a meal or snack, and modify the insulin dose accordingly.

Carbohydrates break down into blood sugar during digestion. Include complex carbs in your diet such as fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low fat dairy products. Avoid simple carbs such as white rice, candy, baked goods, and processed foods because they break down faster than more complex foods.

Fiber And Protein

Fiber helps regulate blood glucose levels. Try to include at least 25 g of fiber in your diet every day. Some of the best sources are wheat bran, lentils, nuts, peas, and whole grain bread.

Be sure to eat high-quality protein rather than meats high in saturated fat. Different types of fish such as tuna, halibut, herring, and salmon are great alternatives to red meat and poultry. Do not eat fried fish and fish high in mercury levels, such as king mackerel and swordfish.

Foods To Avoid & Embrace

Having diabetes increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. If you eat foods high in saturated fats and trans fats, you become even more susceptible. Reduce your consumption of butter, margarine, cream, lard, and shortening, which are often found in baked goods. Choose monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats like olive, canola, and vegetable oil as well as nuts and sunflower seeds. Hydrogenated oils such as palm, palm kernel, and coconut can cause your arteries to harden and increase the likelihood of heart disease. Also, choose dairy products such as low-fat yogurt and skim milk instead of whole milk.