Diets can be designed to manage the eating habit and patterns of people who have diabetes. Sticking to this diet means eating healthy foods in moderate amounts at regular meal times. The critical components of the diet are vegetables, fruits and low fat and low-carbohydrate foods. Experts have said that this diet is a healthy option that should be adopted by everyone.
Eating Right
Eating right implies eating a balanced diet involving all the classes of food. For vegetables, the menu should include starchy and non-starchy vegetables like green peas, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, , peppers, and potatoes. Others are cauliflower, eggplant, spinach, brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and onions. Do not forget to include cucumbers, asparagus, Jicama, Artichoke hearts
Fruits like grapes, melon, apples with the skin on, oranges, berries, and bananas are healthy options to manage diabetes. Other fruits are strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apricots with skin on, cherries, pears with the peel on, kiwi and peaches with skin peel.
Whole grains are preferred meal options for people living with diabetes. A good proportion of daily meal should contain whole grains like wheat, wild or brown rice, barley, whole-wheat pasta, whole-grain cereal, , quinoa, and whole-wheat bread.
Lean proteins with low saturated fat are the best options for people who have diabetes especially those not on vegetarian diets. Available food options include fatty fish, raw unsalted nuts and peanuts, lean meat, eggs, tofu, and skinless chicken or turkey. Others are dried beans, chickpeas and split peas
Diary can be in moderate proportions diabetes diet. Skim milk or lactose-free milk, nNonfat, unsweetened kefir and nonfat, low-sodium cottage cheese are good available choices of food that can help manage diabetes.
Eating the right kinds of fatty foods can help control blood sugar as well as reduce weight and unnecessary cravings. Healthy fatty foods are Olives, edamame, nut butter, avocados, nuts, like almonds, and walnuts, plant-based oils, like olive oil, corn oil, and soybean oil,
Eating Patterns
Eating in regular patterns is good for persons managing diabetes. Depending on the type of diabetes, the regularity and timing of meals might change. Regular meal schedules help the body to control blood sugar levels. Eating up to six times a day is recommended. Also, sticking to scheduled eating helps to avoid overeating.
Eating Portions
The portion of food consumed by people with diabetes can be controlled using either the plate method or carbohydrate counting method. The plate method can be used to control portions eaten mostly during lunch and dinner. A plate (9-inch) divided into three parts (one half, and two one-fourth) is used to quantify the proportion of different types of food. Carbohydrate counting involves regulating daily intake of food and drinks which contain carbs. Carbohydrate affects blood sugar more than other foods because it converts to glucose in the body and contributes to blood sugar.
Keeping a food diary can help check the type, quantity, and regularity of meal patterns in people with diabetes. One can never tell how much it can assist in managing the diet of a person with diabetes.
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