| Diabetes is a condition wherein the body cannot | | | | for people who do not where to start in their diet plan. |
| produce or properly use insulin. This leads to high sugar | | | | It works by creating an imaginary line on your plate, |
| levels in the blood, which if left unchecked results to | | | | selecting the foods that you want to eat, and the best |
| diabetes-related complications. People with diabetes | | | | part, enjoying your meal. |
| need to keep their glucose level stable. It can be done | | | | Here are the steps to get started: |
| by eating the right amounts of healthy foods regularly. | | | | 1. Draw an imaginary line in the middle of your plate. |
| Healthy, balanced diet-low in fat, salt, and sugar, and | | | | 2. Divide one side into three sections. |
| based on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains-is the | | | | 3. On the largest section (the other half, which was not |
| best diabetic diet. If you will look closely, this recipe is | | | | divided into three), put non-starchy veggies like spinach, |
| not something special; it is generally the same with the | | | | carrots, lettuce, cabbage, green beans, broccoli, onion, |
| healthy food regimen of everyone else. The difference | | | | and okra. Non-starchy vegetables contain more fiber |
| lies in the fact that a person with diabetes should limit | | | | then carbohydrates. |
| his calorie intake to control weight, manage the blood's | | | | 4. In one of the three small sections, place starchy |
| sugar level, and limit cholesterol in the body. | | | | foods like whole grain breads, whole grain high-fiber |
| You can consult the diabetic food pyramid if you are | | | | cereal, rice, pasta, potatoes, or low-fat crackers. These |
| planning to make healthy food options for you and | | | | are your sources of carbohydrates so you need to be |
| your family. A diabetes food pyramid is divided into six | | | | careful in choosing which starchy foods to choose. |
| groups composed of breads, grains and other | | | | Three-fourths to 1 cup of starchy foods are |
| starches; vegetables; fruits; milk and dairy products; | | | | considered enough. |
| meat, meat substitutes and other proteins; and fats, oils | | | | 5. In another small section, put your proteins-meat or |
| and sweets. Grains and starches compose the largest | | | | meat substitutes like chicken or turkey without the skin, |
| part of the pyramid, which means that you should eat | | | | fish, seafood, lean cuts of beef of pork, tofu, eggs, or |
| more of these than any other foods in the pyramid. | | | | low-fat cheese. When choosing which protein to put |
| Fats and sweets should be the smallest portion in your | | | | on your plate, take note of the fat content of these |
| meals. Eating smaller portions of each food is also | | | | foods. |
| recommended if you have diabetes. Even if you are | | | | 6. Add an 8 oz glass of milk, non-fat or low fat. For |
| eating nourishing foods, overeating can lead to weight | | | | those with lactose-intolerance, light yogurt can be a |
| gain. Take note of your portion sizes; this helps you | | | | good substitute. Dairy products are good sources of |
| manage both your weight and sugar levels. | | | | calcium and high-quality protein. As dessert, add a |
| Know what to put on your plate. You have to | | | | piece of fruit of ½ cup of fruit salad. |
| memorize your food pyramid so that you can concoct | | | | Creating the best diabetic diet is not as complicated as |
| the best diabetic diet for yourself. The American | | | | what other people think. As mentioned, it is just the |
| Diabetes Association recommends the "Plate Method" | | | | same as the healthy food choices of everyone else. |