Diabetes Diet

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder. Once diagnosed, you can not cure it for good, but can only keep it under control. It is a disease in which a person suffering from it can not effectively use the natural chemical called insulin. Management of diabetes requires an effective healthy regular lifestyle including a regular balanced diet, regular exercise and sensible weight control.

Patients suffering from diabetes can not break down stored fat for energy with ease. They even find it difficult to break down proteins. Blood sugar level rises as it gets stocked up in the blood due to the lack of converter hormone insulin. Excess sugar level in your blood can create complications for you. That is why when diabetes is detected, your doctor tells you to make changes in eating habits, weight control and have exercise programs, and may even prescribe drugs to keep it in check. You should also have regular checkups. Dietary control is an integral part of management of the diabetes patients. The perfect diet would be such that apart from providing the essentials of good nutrition, it should be open to adjustments from time to time for changing metabolic needs, for example during growth, pregnancy, lactation or modified activity. Below are some of the guidelines for diabetic patients regarding their meal planning.

Diabetic patients should always try to reduce overall fat. Use oils or foods that are high in Omega-3 fatty acid, such as olive oil, rapeseeds oil, flaxseed and flaxseed oil as they require lower insulin. Avoid fried food.

Refined carbohydrates and sugar should be avoided as they increase the blood sugar immediately. Fruits should be the major source of sweetness in your diet, as they are low in calories, high in fibers, and many other minerals and vitamins which are essential for keeping the body healthy.

Glycemic Index shows how much your blood sugar increases after eating different foods. With the help of glycemic acid, you can always keep the blood sugar level under control as higher glycemic acid means higher blood sugar level.

Try to minimize Protein from your diet as much as you can. It is always better to use meat substitutes or non-animal protein foods such as legumes tofu. Legumes are excellent as insulin regulators. Red meat should be completely avoided. Instead, the amount of fish should be increased in your diet.

Some vegetables decrease the severity of diabetes. Some of them are celery, bitter melon, onion, garlic, globe artichoke, jerusalem artichoke, asparagus and spinach.

Non-healthy eating habits increase your blood glucose level. Your meal plan should include healthy foods which are beneficial in checking your diabetes and if not that then at least which do not increase it. That is why, it is wise to consult with your dietitian to make a meal plan that fits the way you usually eat, that fits with your daily routine and that does not confront with your diabetes medicines.