Having diabetes doesn’t mean that you have to start eating
special foods or follow a complicated diabetes diet plan. For
most people, a diabetes diet simply translates into eating a
variety of foods in moderate amounts and sticking to regular
mealtimes.
This means choosing a diet that emphasizes vegetables, fruits
and whole grains. Consistency also is key, because your body
responds to excess calories and fat by creating an undesirable
rise in blood sugar. Rather than a restrictive diet, a diabetes diet
is a healthy-eating plan that’s naturally rich in nutrients and low
in fat and calories. In fact, it’s the best eating plan for everyone.
Planning your meal;
Your meal plan is an eating guide that helps you:
at each meal
If you stick to your meal plan and watch your serving sizes,
you’ll eat about the same amount of carbohydrates and calories
every day. This helps control your blood sugar and your weight.
On the flip side, the more you vary what you eat — especially
the amount of carbohydrates — the harder it is to control your
blood sugar.
If you’re already eating a variety of healthy foods, you may simply
need to adjust portion sizes to keep your blood sugar (glucose)
under control.
A dietitian can help;
Ask your doctor for a referral to a registered dietitian. A visit with
a registered dietitian can provide you valuable information on how
to change your eating habits and help you meet goals such as:
A dietitian can help tailor your diet based on your health goals,
tastes and lifestyle. You may need to follow a more deliberate
plan — eating only a recommended number of servings from
each food group every day.
Using exchange lists;
A dietitian may recommend using the exchange system, which
groups foods into categories — such as starches, fruits, meats
and meat substitutes, and fats.
One serving in a group is called an “exchange.” An exchange has
about the same amount of carbohydrates, protein, fat and calories
and the same effect on your blood sugar — as a serving of every
other food in the same group. So, for example, you could exchange
or trade — either of the following for one carbohydrate serving:
Carbohydrate counting can also be a helpful meal-planning tool
making sure your timing and amount of carbohydrates are the
same each day — especially if you take diabetes medications or
insulin. If you eat more or less carbohydrates than usual at a
given meal or from day to day, your blood sugar level may
fluctuate more.
If you’re counting carbohydrates, work with a dietitian to learn
how to do it properly. If you’re taking insulin, he or she can teach
you how to count the amount of carbohydrates in each meal or
snack and adjust your insulin dose accordingly.
Some people who have diabetes use the glycemic index to select
foods, especially carbohydrates. Foods with a high glycemic index
are associated with greater increases in blood sugar than are foods
with a low glycemic index. But low-index foods aren’t necessarily
healthier. Foods that are high in fat tend to have lower glycemic
index values than do some healthier options.
Consistent eating habits can help you control your blood sugar
level. Every day try to eat about the same amount of food at
about the same time. Include a variety of foods to help meet
your nutritional goals. A dietitian can help you plan a program
that meets these guidelines.
Having diabetes doesn't mean that you have to start eating
special foods or follow a complicated diabetes diet plan. For
most people, a diabetes diet simply translates into eating a
variety of foods in moderate amounts... ">
Having diabetes doesn't mean that you have to start eating
special foods or follow a complicated diabetes diet plan. For
most people, a diabetes diet simply translates into eating a
variety of foods in moderate amounts... ">
Having diabetes doesn't mean that you have to start eating
special foods or follow a complicated diabetes diet plan. For
most people, a diabetes diet simply translates into eating a
variety of foods in moderate amounts... ">
