Diabetes Diet

If you have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you have probably been advised by your doctor to follow a healthy diet. But what kind of diabetes diet is best? How do you know what to eat? Read this article to learn more about food choices for diabetics.

Balanced meals

In one sense, dietary recommendations for diabetics are similar to dietary recommendations for everyone else. No nutritionist is going to recommend that everyone eat ice cream every day, whatever their health conditions! A basic general plan of fruits, vegetables and grains, while including some meat and dairy products, is a healthy choice for nearly everybody, diabetics included.

Carbohydrates and sugar

Choosing what carbohydrates to eat complicates the diabetic diet somewhat. Most people associate diabetes with sugar, and naturally assume that eating less sugar or none at all might counteract the disease. In fact, blood sugar jumps up in response to many foods, not just sweet ones. Processed carbohydrates or very starchy foods can have just as dramatic an effect on your blood glucose as sugary treats do. White bread, potatoes and white rice are well-known culprits in blood sugar spikes.

Choosing the right carbs

If you eat complex carbohydrates, their effect on your blood sugar is much less dramatic. Brown rice causes fewer blood sugar spikes than white rice; complex grains like quinoa or amaranth are even better for some diabetics. Whole grains and breads that rank low on the glycemic index are great choices for diabetics, as are greens and most non-starchy vegetables.

Planning ahead

If you do choose to eat something with a fair amount of sugar or carbohydrate in it, make sure to plan your insulin dosage accordingly if you are a type 1 diabetic. If you are type 2, eating a food that may raise your blood sugar along with something else containing protein or fat may help even out the spike and lessen negative effects.

Eating the right foods is an important part of health, for diabetics and everyone else. If you learn how to make good choices at the table and in the kitchen, your diabetes is easier to manage.