According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), “Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough – or any- insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.”
NIDDK stresses that balance is the key when it comes to maintaining a healthy life as a diabetic. That is a balance between proper nutrition, physical activity, and medication, if there is any that is taken. The goal is to keep your blood glucose level, blood pressure, and cholesterol, all within your target ranges. NIDDK recommends eating a variety of healthy foods from all food groups such as:
- Vegetables – Nonstarchy, like broccoli, carrots, greens, peppers, and tomatoes. Starchy, like potatoes, corn, and green peas.
- Fruits – Like oranges, melons, berries, apples, bananas, and grapes.
- Grains – Half of your daily grains should be whole grains like wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, and quinoa.
- Protein – Like lean meat, chicken or skinless turkey, fish, eggs, nuts, dried beans, chickpeas, split peas, and tofu.
- Dairy – Nonfat or low fat like milk or lactose free milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Consult your healthcare provider to discuss any dietary changes. To schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider at any of our convenient Primary Medical Care Center community clinics, you may visit our website at www.primarymed.com, or call (305)751-1500 for our Miami-Dade clinic, or (954)289-0000 for our Broward clinic.
Source: https://www.niddknih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/diet-eating-physical-activity