Foods & Restricted Diets for Diabetics

If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with diabetes you no doubt realize that diet plays a major role in controlling blood glucose levels. Achieving and maintaining blood glucose levels that are as close to normal as possible will help you to avoid developing diabetes related complications. A diet that emphasizes whole grains, vegetables and healthy proteins is vital to managing diabetes. Your doctor may recommend that a nutritionist to help you develop a food plan that is feasible for you and your lifestyle.

Foods to Choose From

• Good nutrition will not only help keep you healthy but is an essential part of your diabetes treatment. Eating a variety of non-starchy vegetables every day provides you with vital vitamins and minerals and will not cause unwanted fluctuations in your blood sugar levels. Buy fresh or frozen vegetables that have no added sodium or sauces. Spices and garlic or onions adds flavor to vegetables and meat without adding on a lot of calories.
  Choosing brown rice or whole grain pasta over white is a healthier choice and has less of an impact on your blood sugar. The same is true of breads and cereals, so avoid white breads and highly refined cereals. Learn to identify portion sizes using measuring cups or a scale so you do not eat more than you intend to eat.

Restricted Diets

• Some diabetic diets restrict the intake of carbohydrates. This is because carbohydrates raise your blood sugar more than any other kind of food. Following a low carbohydrate diet means choosing complex carbohydrates such as whole grains and vegetables over processed foods. If you choose to follow a low carbohydrate diet, your main source of carbohydrates should be from leafy green vegetables.
  If you need to follow a low-fat diet, choose lean cuts of meat or poultry. Fish and other kinds of seafood are low in fat as well, as long as they are broiled, grilled or poached. Drink skim or soy milks instead of whole milk. Look for low- or no-fat yogurt and other dairy products. Cook with dried beans to add protein and fiber to your diet or add them to a tossed salad. This will help fill you up without adding fat to your diet.

Eating What Is Best For You

• Talk to your doctor about what kind of dietary restrictions you should follow. Testing your blood sugar levels after eating will help you to determine how different foods affect your personally. If you find that you have high glucose levels after eating, you may need to reduce your portion sizes. Making good food choices will have a positive impact on your diabetes care.