Living with Diabetes can be a frightening experience, especially for those who are on insulin pumps and in constant fear of going into shock. No matter what type of diabetes you have been diagnosed with and how progressed your disease is, a healthy diet can work wonders for helping you control blood sugar levels. Once you have learned the tips and tricks of healthy eating, try out some really delicious dishes on easy-diabetic-recipes.com. A healthy diet doesn’t need to be tasteless and uninteresting if you learn the rules.
1. Always Consult Your Doctor About Diet
Before changing anything whatsoever in your lifestyle, especially your diet, always consult with your doctor first. Chances are that your doctor will give you literature to become familiar with but in the event that you are still unclear as to what you can and can’t eat, you might also want to check out the American Diabetes Association website. You will find plenty of helpful advice on this site on such things as Living with Diabetes or even on learning the Basics of Diabetes. When in doubt, ask!
2. Understand the Difference Between Good and Bad Carbs
As a diabetic, you understand the need to stay away from any foods or beverages with refined sugar. That is probably rule #1. However, some carbs are actually good for you and provide many healthy benefits. Those good carbs would include:
- Lentils, beans, and many types of peas
- Berries
- Apples
- Sweet potatoes
- Squash – especially winter squash
If you look at that short list, you will see that one thing they all have in common is a high fiber content. That will help move foods through your digestive system which is an invaluable aid when living with diabetes. For this reason, low-fat yogurt (plain) is also good for you and when sweetened only with fruits like those mentioned above, you have a real winner.
3. Stick to Meal Plans
Another thing which you will learn to do is to stick to meal plans. Don’t binge eat and never indulge in unhealthy snacks thinking that a few extra calories won’t hurt. While there are some fruits and veggies you can safely snack on, most of us will reach for the chips or ice cream and that is a definite no-no. It is best to keep raw veggies on hand for a snack and try hard to stick to meal plans as closely as possible.
4. Avoid Foods That Cause a Spike in Blood Sugar
According to WebMD, some foods help to balance those meals that contain carbs. The site says that good foods to eat which probably won’t cause your blood sugar to spike would be:
- Lean meats
- Poultry
- Cheese
- Fish
As you see, those are all foods high in protein and low in fat, so they will help to balance out the bad carbs you may be unable to completely eliminate from your diet. Try as we might, sometimes it’s impossible, especially when dining out.
5. Learn the Difference Between Good and Bad Fats
Speaking of fats, there are also good and bad fats just like there are good and bad carbs. Fats which you can eat, at least in moderation, would include such things as olive oil, avocados, nuts and canola oil. As a matter of fact, these monosaturated fats can help to reduce levels of blood sugar and they certainly won’t cause unhealthy levels of LDL (the bad guys) cholesterol in your blood. Not only will you be eating a healthy diet for diabetes, but a heart-healthy diet as well.
Living with diabetes is no easy chore but you can learn how to eat healthily so that you can manage the disease. Remember, when in doubt, always ask your doctor. No one knows your condition better than your doctor so always check first before changing anything whatsoever – the most important rule of all.
