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Healthy Diet for Diabetes Patients

Diabetes patients must carefully monitor blood sugar levels. The hormone insulin transports blood sugar to the cells of the body, giving the body the energy needed to perform daily activities. Uncontrolled diabetes causes serious health problems like kidney damage, heart disease, strokes, eye problems and nerve damage. Doctors prescribe medication and recommend lifestyle changes for diabetics. A healthy diet for diabetes patients helps them control blood sugar levels when combined with medical therapy and exercise.

  1. Eat 6 to 11 Servings of Whole Grain and Starches

    • A healthy diet for diabetes patients includes eating 6 to 11 servings of whole grain foods and starches, foods that contain fiber and good carbohydrates. Good whole grains include wheat, rye, oats, brown rice and wheat pasta. Recommended carbohydrates include dry beans, black-eyed peas, pinto beans, lentils, sweet potatoes, corn and peas.

    Consume 3 to 5 Vegetable Servings

    • Consuming 3 to 5 servings of vegetables, as part of a diabetes patient's healthy diet, provides vitamins, minerals and fiber to daily meals. Vegetables are low in calories, which helps diabetics who needs to lose weight. These vegetables include spinach, chicory, Swiss chard, broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce and kale.

    Choose 2 to 4 Servings of Fruits

    • The food pyramid for a healthy diet for diabetes patients should include 2 to 4 servings of fruits because they contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and good carbohydrates. The list of fruits should contain blackberries, cantaloupe, strawberries, oranges, apples, bananas, peaches, grapes, apricots and pears. Diabetics may drink unsweetened fruit juices and fruits canned in their own juices.

    Drink or Eat 2 or 3 Servings of Low-Fat Dairy

    • Low-fat dairy supplies protein and calcium to diabetes patients adjusting to a healthy diet. Low-fat dairy products have less saturated fat than their full-fat counterparts. Diabetics can choose low-fat or skim milk; cheeses; plain, unsweetened yogurts and low-fat, fortified soy milk. To give plain yogurt flavor, add fresh fruit or whole grain cereals.

    Eat 2 or 3 Servings of Meat and Meat Substitutes

    • Healthy diets for diabetes patients should limit the amount of protein because it overworks the kidneys. Choose lean meats like chicken, fish and beef. Diabetics should avoid processed meats like sausage, hot dogs, smoked and cured meats and fried meats. The meat served with a meal should be a side dish, only about the size of a deck of cards. Non-meat meat substitutes like beans, nuts, seeds and cottage cheese contain protein as well.

    Limit Fats, Snacks and Alcohol

    • Diabetes patients should limit their consumption of junk food on a healthy diet. Diabetics can eat chips, candy, cookies, cakes, ice cream and fried foods in limited amounts, but should check their blood sugar levels before and after consuming these foods.

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