How to Plan a Tasteful Diabetic Diet

Boredom is one of the primary reasons for straying from a dietary plan, especially when confronted with the necessity of a lifelong diet as many diabetics are. While the basic premise of a diabetic diet remains the same regardless of how you structure it, food presentation and seasoning can make the difference between a bland, unlivable diet and a flavorful but healthy diet that the whole family can enjoy.

Things You'll Need

• Diabetic diet cookbook
• Spices
• Seasonings

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Instructions

• 1

  Structure a tasteful diabetic diet just as you would any other -- with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources, and healthy fat sources (limiting of saturated fats with a reliance on unsaturated fats like those found in seeds, nuts, and oils). These general categories of food will make up the foundation of any diabetic diet. Each meal should be relatively balanced, containing at least one fruit, one vegetable, a serving of whole grains, a protein source, and a fat source.

• 2

  Flavor your meals and side dishes with items that will not compromise your diabetic dieting efforts. For example, using apple cider vinegar as a dressing for your salads can not only liven up a meal, but it can also help to improve your blood glucose levels and your overall responsiveness to insulin, according to an article by the health site Mercola.com.

• 3

  Consider using plenty of spices, herbs, and other condiments that are compatible with a diabetic lifestyle. Purchase a few jars of pesto, peanut sauce, curry, and other spice blends to bring new flavor to otherwise dull dishes like whole-grain pasta and plain grilled chicken. The only real condiments that you should avoid are those that contain high-fructose corn syrup. It can cause insulin resistance and lead to further weight gain and an increase in diabetic symptoms, according to an article in ScienceDaily.

• 4

  Consider different and interesting ways to present your meals to enhance their perceived flavor without compromising their nutritional value. Meals that look attractive are often more palatable than meals served without presentation at all. For example, a breast of grilled chicken served over a bed of wild brown rice and spinach will look more appetizing than the same meal offered up in individual components.