Custom Search

Diabetes and a Healthy Diet

Monday, August 1, 2011 5:04:00 PM Posted by Diabetes

By Robert S. Nelson

Having a sensible meal plan is one way that diabetics can help control their blood sugar. A specific meal plan for anyone with an illness is called Medical Nutrition Therapy or MNT and it involves eating nutritious meals at regular intervals.

A healthy diabetic meal plan should sound very familiar to everyone because it is based on eating the same nutritious foods that we are all supposed to be eating. This diet plan stresses eating vegetables, fruits and whole grains as well as meals that are low in calories as well as low in fat.

Your doctor should send you to a dietitian if it has been determined that you have diabetes. The dietitian can help you change any bad eating habits which will enable you to better manage your blood glucose and your weight.

When your body gets too many calories or too much fat it will not only have an impact on your weight but it will also raise your blood sugar level. Should your blood glucose get too high (hyperglycemia) it can result in some serious health issues involving your heart, kidneys and nervous system. Following a nutritious meal plan will help you maintain safe blood glucose levels.

Controlling your blood glucose is the main function of a healthy diet but the dietitian also wants to create a meal plan that you will follow and takes into account things like your lifestyle and your tastes in food. The amount of food that you eat is very important as is the quality of the food that is consumed.

The following list will give you an idea what foods are recommended for a diabetic meal plan:

* Carbs - yes, they are okay if they come from vegetables, whole grain food and fruits.
* High in Fiber - things like wheat bran, nuts, beans and of course fruits and veggies.
* Fish - it can't be fried or be swordfish or tilefish since they have high mercury levels.
* Good Fats - almonds, pecans, walnuts, olives and other foods containing polyunsaturated as well as monounsaturated fats.

You should avoid the following foods since diabetics are more susceptible to clogged arteries:

* Cholesterol - organ meats (liver), egg yolks and high fat dairy products.
* Saturated Fat - sausages, bacon, hot dogs, beef.
* Trans Fats - the fat contained in many snacks and baked goods as well as in margarine and shortening.

Following a healthy diet rich in nutrients and low in fat is the best way to stay away from serious medical complications which can ensue from high glucose levels. It will also help anyone who has to lose a few pounds.

Eating nutritious low-fat high fiber foods will benefit you in more ways than one. It is likely that your healthy eating habits will also help you in avoiding other serious medical conditions like heart disease and cancer.

A diabetic needs to speak with their dietitian and doctor to devise a meal plan that has the strongest chance of succeeding. By changing the way they eat and the types of food they eat they will be able to lower their high glucose levels and at the same time reduce their chances of having to deal with some major medical problems.

0 Response to "Diabetes and a Healthy Diet"

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Other Information that You Can Find Below: