By Denchi Minh

Maintaining a stable level of blood glucose is generally the foremost goal of a Diabetic Diet. The meal plans may be different from individual to individual because of the different conditions of their diabetes but they are all geared towards engraving to the person healthy eating habits. Three principles are usually employed which are avoidance of sugar-rich foods and foods that are rich in simple carbohydrates, mitigating the quantity of food without being detrimental to its nutritional value, and eating more small meals instead of three huge ones. In other words what is important is what you eat, how much you eat, and when you eat. The recommended food for people with diabetes can be categorized into five as given below.

Grains and Starches
This is the primary source of complex carbohydrates in the Diabetic Diet. Carbohydrates are essential in supplying the body with enough energy so it can function properly. But carbohydrates should be in complex form to be fit for consumption because such type takes long to be absorbed by the body thus keeping the individual full for a longer duration and thus help in losing weight. Grains and starches usually come in the form of bread. At least six servings of bread should be consumed each day.

Vegetables
Vegetables are important sources of fiber and other nutrients. The healthiest vegetables are considered to be tomatoes, carrots, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce and cucumbers. At least three servings are recommended each day and the vegetables can be served as side dishes instead of being part of the main course.

Fruits
Sugar is still needed by the body even if there is diabetes because the body needs glucose to maintain its functions. This is the main reason why fruits are always part of any Diabetic Plan. Fruits that are rich in natural sugar and other nutrients should be picked such as bananas and apples. At least two servings should be consumed each day.

Dairy Products
Low Fat Milk is also integral in a Diabetic Diet because of the healthy fat it can provide. Milk also provides calcium which is essential in the development and maintenance of healthy and strong bones. Without enough calcium bones will become brittle and weak and may lead to several complications such as osteoporosis. At least two servings should be consumed each day.

Protein and Fats
This are usually achieved though the consumption of meat. At least two servings each day is recommended.

By Denchi Minh

Having diabetes requires that you be cautious of the food you eat and manage to contain the disease by always being in control of your blood sugar levels. You should carefully plan your meals. This article will help you create an effective Diabetic Diet. Eating the right food at the right time is in itself a cure known in medicine as the MNT or Medical Nutrition Therapy. It involves setting and adhering to specific meal time schedules with each meal full of just the right amount of nutrients your body needs and minimal amounts of calories and fat. It aims to allow the individual to still be able to enjoy eating while also taking his illness into account.

Fruits, veggies, and whole grain are the major components of a Diabetic Diet. Eating healthy is so important to a person with diabetes that the first advice the doctor will give you is to seek the help of a dietician. A dietician is a professional consultant that will guide you on how to adjust your diet to help you prevent the glucose level in your blood from going out of control. He will also help you maintain a desirable body weight. Too much calorie and fat intake is the primary cause for rising blood sugar levels that in severe cases may result to very alarming dilemmas such as uncontrollable excess glucose in the bloodstream which may also damage other organs such as the heart. Losing track of what you eat will most likely cause your blood sugar level to go past the safety limit.

Following a Diabetic Diet that aims on the loss of weight is the best for people with type 2 diabetes. This is because being overweight makes it harder to break down fat and calorie buildups in your body. Such meal plan is normally very hard for average individuals. This is why the services of a dietician are necessary. Explain your goals as well as preferences in food with the dietician and he will be able to give you good advice about what to eat and what not to eat.

It is to be noted that a Diabetic Diet should always focus on quality over quantity. Fruits and vegetables together with whole grains offer the best nutritional value per gram. Refrain from eating fatty foods because diabetes exponentially increases the risks of heart attack every gram of fat provides.

By Denchi Minh

The Diabetic Diet is commonly the first thing a doctor will mention to a person who has just been diagnosed with diabetes for the first time. This is because food intake influences a person's blood sugar level more than any medicine can. As a matter of fact, people who have Type 2 Diabetes can live healthy without any medication as long as they eat the right foods and have enough exercise. Eating the right foods however is not so simple. A diabetic cannot simply avoid eating foods with glucose because his body still needs sugar. He therefore needs to be able to determine exactly how much glucose per day is advisable for his condition.

The Diabetic Diet should also be made up of meals that have balance between the three Food Groups while at the same time also following the Food Pyramid. Diabetics should also keep track of their fat and carbohydrate intake in order to avoid gaining too much weight as being overweight can lead to complications such as heart and kidney disease. The size of the meals as well as the time they are eaten should also be consistent. The glucose level in the bloodstream of someone with diabetes is very sensitive. Any sudden rise or fall in the sugar level can lead to very serious problems.

Adapting to a Diabetic Diet can be very difficult especially for individuals who are used to eating whatever they like. This is the reason why doctors often recommend their diabetic patients to see a dietician. A dietician is a food expert that specializes in creating food and meal combination that cater specifically to a person's needs. They can help you create a meal plan that is not only healthy for you, but also made up of foods that you will enjoy. Sacrificing taste for nutritional value is not necessary. There are many healthy foods that also taste good.

The Diabetic Diet should be comprised of as many meals that can fit conveniently in your lifestyle. The normal setup of three meals per day is not recommended for diabetics. They should eat only small meals to avoid disturbing the stability of their blood sugar level. An eating plan of at least six meals per day is recommended but it would be better if you could fit even more on your schedule. Starch is considered as the most optimal food for diabetics. Bread, cereal, and vegetables are the most common sources of starch.

By Denchi Minh

The Diabetic Plan is essential for someone with diabetes to be able to reach a healthier weight. Being overweight can lead to fatal complications for diabetics. Too much glucose in the bloodstream not only slows down the absorption of fats by the body but may also clog veins that may result to heart attacks and other chronic illnesses. The unneeded fat also further hinders the body from utilizing insulin to stabilize glucose levels. Having a desirable weight is very important for people suffering from diabetes because it mitigates or even totally eliminates the need for medication. If a diabetic is able to eliminate excess body fat he will no longer need medicine to regulate his body's usage of insulin.

The Diabetic Diet not only encompasses your food intake but also everything else that you consume, including cigarette smoke. The chemicals from cigarettes are many times more hazardous to diabetics than any fatty or sugary food. These harmful substances speed up the clogging of arteries and veins. Diabetics who smoke often end up getting their legs and feet amputated because cigarette chemicals normally settle on the lower extremities and prevent proper blood circulation on the legs and feet. The chemicals in cigarettes also reduce the body's ability to absorb oxygen that results to slower blood circulation.

The Diabetic Diet also includes the moderation of drinking alcohol. The individual should be aware of the maximum amount of alcohol his body can tolerate so he can refrain from reaching his alcohol limits. Alcohol intake while having an empty stomach can also be very disastrous as it can lead to glucose levels dropping too much. The meals should also take the length of time the body absorbs food substances into the blood stream to make sure that a safe blood glucose level is maintained.

A Carbohydrate Count can also be incorporated in formulating an individual's Diabetic Diet. A Carbohydrate Count involves determining the carbohydrate contents of the foods that make up your meals. The total numbers of carbohydrates contained in all of the meals you are scheduled to consume in a day exceed the recommended carbohydrate count per day then changes should be made. The foods in the one or more meals can be substituted with other foods that have the same nutrient value but lower carbohydrate count.

Adjusting the new meal plan can be very difficult at first. You can opt to consult a dietician to help you make the change.

By Maxine Fox

I started buying fresh lemons by the bag after I found out how they can help cure diabetes. They are quite literally a miracle from Mother Nature! I have always loved fresh lemon but now I make an extra effort to eat lots of them. In fact, I believe lemons should be an important staple in every diabetic diet.

Lemon Lowers the Glycemic Index of Other Foods

Research has shown that lemon lowers the glycemic index of any food it is added to. And... we are not talking a few points here. The drop is very significant! To benefit from this, all you have to do is add a little squeeze of fresh lemon over your food. Almost like waving a magic wand, this will instantly lower the glycemic index of your meal. Best of all, lemon is such an excellent flavor enhancer, it makes many foods taste better too. I often add a squeeze of fresh lemon to a hot bowl of soup (yum!), casseroles, stove top goulashes, almost any kind of salad (including salads containing fruit), and sauteed vegetables (especially greens!). Anything with chicken or fish of course tastes especially good with lemon. Please note that it is best to add the fresh lemon right before you eat the food. If you cook it in soup, for example, it can become a little bitter and the health benefits won't be quite as great.

Have A Glass of Lemon Water First Thing In the Morning

A glass of lemon water is the perfect way for a diabetic to start the day. Most people start their day with coffee (very acidic) and food that shift the pH of the body toward the acid side. However, if you shift the pH back toward the alkaline side, you will notice your blood sugar will go down. Moreover, your cell membranes will become more sensitive to insulin - i.e. you will be LESS insulin resistant. In fact, this will actually aid your body in repairing those damaged cell membranes.

Although lemons contain a weak acid, when they are metabolized by the body they have an alkalizing effect. If fact, they are the strongest alkalizing food you can eat! This is why adding lemon to your diet can go a long way toward restoring the pH of your body to the alkaline side where it should be. It has been found that most diabetics have a very acidic body pH (as have cancer patients). Bringing back to the alkaline side will go a long way toward helping to cure your diabetes.

Making lemon water is very easy. Just squeeze the juice from a half lemon (or a full lemon if you are a larger person) into a glass of water, swirl it around a little, and drink it up. Do this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach before you have your coffee or breakfast.

Lemons Have TWICE the Vitamin C As Oranges

This was a fact that surprised me as you always hear that orange juice is so loaded with vitamin C. Well, the orange's citrus cousin has it beat with twice the vitamin C. Most people don't realize but vitamin C is an extremely powerful antioxidant. It is important to note that vitamin taken in the form of food is MUCH better absorbed by the body than vitamin C taken in the form of a pill!

Vitamin C is at least part of the reason lemons interact with the cell membrane and make it less insulin resistant. However, vitamin C also have other very important benefits to the diabetic as well. For example, it increases the production of collagen which strengthens blood vessels. This is key since many diabetics have problems with circulation and arterial damage.

Aids In Repairing Digestion

Most diabetics have impaired digestive enzymes and lowered acidity in the stomach. This means that they don't always reap the full benefit from the nutritious food they eat. Lemon goes a long way toward curing this problem as well.

By Maxine Fox

I started buying fresh lemons by the bag after I found out how they can help cure diabetes. They are quite literally a miracle from Mother Nature! I have always loved fresh lemon but now I make an extra effort to eat lots of them. In fact, I believe lemons should be an important staple in every diabetic diet.

Lemon Lowers the Glycemic Index of Other Foods

Research has shown that lemon lowers the glycemic index of any food it is added to. And... we are not talking a few points here. The drop is very significant! To benefit from this, all you have to do is add a little squeeze of fresh lemon over your food. Almost like waving a magic wand, this will instantly lower the glycemic index of your meal. Best of all, lemon is such an excellent flavor enhancer, it makes many foods taste better too. I often add a squeeze of fresh lemon to a hot bowl of soup (yum!), casseroles, stove top goulashes, almost any kind of salad (including salads containing fruit), and sauteed vegetables (especially greens!). Anything with chicken or fish of course tastes especially good with lemon. Please note that it is best to add the fresh lemon right before you eat the food. If you cook it in soup, for example, it can become a little bitter and the health benefits won't be quite as great.

Have A Glass of Lemon Water First Thing In the Morning

A glass of lemon water is the perfect way for a diabetic to start the day. Most people start their day with coffee (very acidic) and food that shift the pH of the body toward the acid side. However, if you shift the pH back toward the alkaline side, you will notice your blood sugar will go down. Moreover, your cell membranes will become more sensitive to insulin - i.e. you will be LESS insulin resistant. In fact, this will actually aid your body in repairing those damaged cell membranes.

Although lemons contain a weak acid, when they are metabolized by the body they have an alkalizing effect. If fact, they are the strongest alkalizing food you can eat! This is why adding lemon to your diet can go a long way toward restoring the pH of your body to the alkaline side where it should be. It has been found that most diabetics have a very acidic body pH (as have cancer patients). Bringing back to the alkaline side will go a long way toward helping to cure your diabetes.

Making lemon water is very easy. Just squeeze the juice from a half lemon (or a full lemon if you are a larger person) into a glass of water, swirl it around a little, and drink it up. Do this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach before you have your coffee or breakfast.

Lemons Have TWICE the Vitamin C As Oranges

This was a fact that surprised me as you always hear that orange juice is so loaded with vitamin C. Well, the orange's citrus cousin has it beat with twice the vitamin C. Most people don't realize but vitamin C is an extremely powerful antioxidant. It is important to note that vitamin taken in the form of food is MUCH better absorbed by the body than vitamin C taken in the form of a pill!

Vitamin C is at least part of the reason lemons interact with the cell membrane and make it less insulin resistant. However, vitamin C also have other very important benefits to the diabetic as well. For example, it increases the production of collagen which strengthens blood vessels. This is key since many diabetics have problems with circulation and arterial damage.

Aids In Repairing Digestion

Most diabetics have impaired digestive enzymes and lowered acidity in the stomach. This means that they don't always reap the full benefit from the nutritious food they eat. Lemon goes a long way toward curing this problem as well.

By Maxine Fox

I started buying fresh lemons by the bag after I found out how they can help cure diabetes. They are quite literally a miracle from Mother Nature! I have always loved fresh lemon but now I make an extra effort to eat lots of them. In fact, I believe lemons should be an important staple in every diabetic diet.

Lemon Lowers the Glycemic Index of Other Foods

Research has shown that lemon lowers the glycemic index of any food it is added to. And... we are not talking a few points here. The drop is very significant! To benefit from this, all you have to do is add a little squeeze of fresh lemon over your food. Almost like waving a magic wand, this will instantly lower the glycemic index of your meal. Best of all, lemon is such an excellent flavor enhancer, it makes many foods taste better too. I often add a squeeze of fresh lemon to a hot bowl of soup (yum!), casseroles, stove top goulashes, almost any kind of salad (including salads containing fruit), and sauteed vegetables (especially greens!). Anything with chicken or fish of course tastes especially good with lemon. Please note that it is best to add the fresh lemon right before you eat the food. If you cook it in soup, for example, it can become a little bitter and the health benefits won't be quite as great.

Have A Glass of Lemon Water First Thing In the Morning

A glass of lemon water is the perfect way for a diabetic to start the day. Most people start their day with coffee (very acidic) and food that shift the pH of the body toward the acid side. However, if you shift the pH back toward the alkaline side, you will notice your blood sugar will go down. Moreover, your cell membranes will become more sensitive to insulin - i.e. you will be LESS insulin resistant. In fact, this will actually aid your body in repairing those damaged cell membranes.

Although lemons contain a weak acid, when they are metabolized by the body they have an alkalizing effect. If fact, they are the strongest alkalizing food you can eat! This is why adding lemon to your diet can go a long way toward restoring the pH of your body to the alkaline side where it should be. It has been found that most diabetics have a very acidic body pH (as have cancer patients). Bringing back to the alkaline side will go a long way toward helping to cure your diabetes.

Making lemon water is very easy. Just squeeze the juice from a half lemon (or a full lemon if you are a larger person) into a glass of water, swirl it around a little, and drink it up. Do this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach before you have your coffee or breakfast.

Lemons Have TWICE the Vitamin C As Oranges

This was a fact that surprised me as you always hear that orange juice is so loaded with vitamin C. Well, the orange's citrus cousin has it beat with twice the vitamin C. Most people don't realize but vitamin C is an extremely powerful antioxidant. It is important to note that vitamin taken in the form of food is MUCH better absorbed by the body than vitamin C taken in the form of a pill!

Vitamin C is at least part of the reason lemons interact with the cell membrane and make it less insulin resistant. However, vitamin C also have other very important benefits to the diabetic as well. For example, it increases the production of collagen which strengthens blood vessels. This is key since many diabetics have problems with circulation and arterial damage.

Aids In Repairing Digestion

Most diabetics have impaired digestive enzymes and lowered acidity in the stomach. This means that they don't always reap the full benefit from the nutritious food they eat. Lemon goes a long way toward curing this problem as well.

By Denchi Minh

Maintaining a stable level of blood glucose is generally the foremost goal of a Diabetic Diet. The meal plans may be different from individual to individual because of the different conditions of their diabetes but they are all geared towards engraving to the person healthy eating habits. Three principles are usually employed which are avoidance of sugar-rich foods and foods that are rich in simple carbohydrates, mitigating the quantity of food without being detrimental to its nutritional value, and eating more small meals instead of three huge ones. In other words what is important is what you eat, how much you eat, and when you eat. The recommended food for people with diabetes can be categorized into five as given below.

Grains and Starches
This is the primary source of complex carbohydrates in the Diabetic Diet. Carbohydrates are essential in supplying the body with enough energy so it can function properly. But carbohydrates should be in complex form to be fit for consumption because such type takes long to be absorbed by the body thus keeping the individual full for a longer duration and thus help in losing weight. Grains and starches usually come in the form of bread. At least six servings of bread should be consumed each day.

Vegetables
Vegetables are important sources of fiber and other nutrients. The healthiest vegetables are considered to be tomatoes, carrots, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce and cucumbers. At least three servings are recommended each day and the vegetables can be served as side dishes instead of being part of the main course.

Fruits
Sugar is still needed by the body even if there is diabetes because the body needs glucose to maintain its functions. This is the main reason why fruits are always part of any Diabetic Plan. Fruits that are rich in natural sugar and other nutrients should be picked such as bananas and apples. At least two servings should be consumed each day.

Dairy Products
Low Fat Milk is also integral in a Diabetic Diet because of the healthy fat it can provide. Milk also provides calcium which is essential in the development and maintenance of healthy and strong bones. Without enough calcium bones will become brittle and weak and may lead to several complications such as osteoporosis. At least two servings should be consumed each day.

Protein and Fats
This are usually achieved though the consumption of meat. At least two servings each day is recommended.