How to Develop a Diabetes Diet Plan

Contrary to popular belief, having diabetes doesn't mean that you have to start eating special foods or follow a complicated diabetes diet plan. Because one goal of a diabetes diet is to maintain normal blood glucose levels, it would be helpful to have reliable information on the effects of foods on blood glucose. For the promotion of good diabetes health and self-care, the diabetes diet plan should include regular meals, and a balanced diet of nutritious food and delicious recipes.

Foods

For most people, having diabetes simply translates into eating a variety of foods in moderate amounts and sticking to regular mealtimes. If you're already eating healthy foods, you may not need to make many changes to keep your blood sugar (glucose) under control. Consume plenty of fiber-rich foods such as whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. For greater variety, work in your favorite foods and foods you haven't tried before. If you skip meals or don't eat the right foods, you may experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). With an eating plan, you're less likely to overeat or eat too much of the wrong foods.

Guidelines

Many diabetics struggle their entire lives to maintain a healthy weight, but the guidelines given to them by the American Diabetes Association have proven unhelpful in regulating blood sugar--the critical component in keeping diabetes in check. Nutrition experts say that there is no one diet for diabetes, but people with diabetes should follow the nutrition guidelines in the Food Pyramid, while paying special attention to carbohydrate intake. Patients should meet with a professional dietitian to plan an individualized diet within the general guidelines that takes into consideration their own health needs. This dietitian will then be able to set guidelines for you that will help to keep you healthy.

Sticking to a diabetes diet is one of the most challenging aspects of living with diabetes. For people who have diabetes, the treatment goals for a diabetes diet are: Achieve near normal blood glucose levels. To maintain your diabetes diet, it helps to identify potential barriers and the means to break through them. Discuss your diabetes diet and your diabetes treatment goals with family members and ask for their support. When you follow your diabetes diet, you will feel better.

For more information on diabetes and living with it visit:

[diabetic-care.net]