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Diabetes Diet What to Eat And Avoid |
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Written by Min Zhu
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Wednesday, 06 February 2008 |
For the diabetic, keeping their sugar level under control is priority number one. The main point to be considered is the type and quantity of food that the diabetic eats. Mealtime for the diabetic does not have to be uninteresting, as they can eat the same foods as non-diabetics. The only difference is that the diabetic should eat smaller portions than someone who does not have the disease. However, the diabetic's mealtimes should remain constant; that is, meals should be eaten at the same time each day.
The diabetic should include lots of whole grain, vegetables, and fruits in lieu of simple sugars, (such as pastries), starches, and fats. In fact, these dietary guidelines are worth being used by anyone who wants to lead a healthier lifestyle, especially those wanting to lose weight.
Another dietary change that some diabetics may need to pay attention to is calorie counting. Counting calories is especially helpful for diabetics who take medication to keep their sugar level in check. Beginners should get the help of a dietician or nutritionist to learn how to count calories properly and the best combination of foods for each meal time.
One meal plan uses what is called the exchange system, where you substitute food from one of the main groups with another. For example, you could exchange a food item from the starches section for another item with similar nutrients. The main food groups in the exchange system are starches, fruits, meats, meat substitutes (tofu etc), and fats. This makes planning and eating meals less boring, as it widens your options.
To reiterate, the most important parts of the diabetic's diet are:
Having set mealtimes, even for snacks, eating at the same time each day
Eating the right-sized meals
Eating a well-balanced meal, incorporating foods from all food groups as per the diabetic food pyramid. The diabetic food pyramid, unlike the regular pyramid, groups foods together based on their starch and fat content. As such, starchy vegetables are grouped with starches instead of other vegetables.
Reducing your intake of fats and sugar
Eating smaller portions
The diabetic must ensure that meals consumed are smaller but are nonetheless nutritionally healthy, just as they would if they were diabetes-free. Paying attention to servings and meal times is vital to the continued health and well-being of the diabetic, as food is the main trigger for rising or falling blood glucose levels. Using the diabetic food pyramid as a guide, the diabetic can not only make meal time a joy, but also control their disease.
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