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Being a diabetic isn't easy and unless you are a dietitian or health food expert, it's hard to always know the right things to eat to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. The task can be intimidating especially for those who get a little squeamish when having to regularly use a blood glucose monitor. This endeavor can be a much more complicated matter than other who are dieting because your consequences are far more severe if you stray from yours. All of these factors together contribute to what can be a very difficult lifestyle for some, but establishing some routines and knowledge can make things a lot more manageable. A healthy diabetic diet is close to an ideal diet for everyone. We must focus on healthy foods and habits just like anyone else, but with more dedication and discipline. Once the routine becomes normalized however, you will find that it becomes easier and easier to maintain. To get a Free Glucose Meter, click the blue text throughout this page! Hydration As with any healthy diet, it is of utmost importance to stay hydrated. Not only is water the healthiest drink on its own, but it also helps dilute the other things you ingest that may not be as healthy. Dairy products can be harmful to diabetics if you do not choose your products carefully. If you absolutely cannot live without milk, try skim milk or non-sweetened soy milk. Always look at the sugar and fat content before consuming dairy products. Staying hydrated can also help you lose weight, which in turn will make your blood glucose levels easier to manage. Lean Meats Fish is a great alternative to fatty animal products and should be eaten throughout the week in moderation. It is a great low fat source of protein, but consuming too much can lead to mercury poisoning and other health hazards. Always shop for the lean cuts of meat such as chicken breasts and remove skin and fat before you cook. Whole Grain Alternatives You are generally going to want to choose whole grains over white alternatives. Processed white foods don't retain much of their nutritional value, while whole grain foods have minimal processing, are high in fiber, and help maintain a healthy blood glucose level. Remember that we are not just talking about bread products here. Many people don't play close attention to other foods that can be healthier if the brown or whole grain alternative is chosen. Whether you are eating breads, pastas, rice, or cereal, there are whole grain alternatives available. Always check labels carefully because many are unclear before closer inspection. If any labeling is ambiguous, choose another product. Remember that fats, sugars, and salts can be added to whole grain products so check labels for those too. Fruits and Veggies We all know that fruits and vegetables are healthy in general, but you need to know which ones are the healthiest for diabetics. The best fruits for diabetics are obviously those that have relatively low levels of sugar such as pears, apples, apricots and citric fruits. Always focus on ingesting fresh whole fruits for your diabetic diet. Canned fruits, juices, and other fruit products almost always have significantly more sugar than fresh fruits, which obviously affects your blood glucose levels. While it is okay to ingest fruit products occasionally, always look at the nutrition facts or consult your doctor to make sure that they don't contain an excess of sugar. Other than that, fruits are great for diabetics. A diverse variety of vegetables should be consumed for a healthy diabetic diet. Well rounded low carb vegetable consumption is important for a diabetic diet. High fiber, low starch veggies are the best for a diabetic. Fiber is a healthy component to any diet and helps diabetics by reducing blood sugar levels. Vegetables such as asparagus, bok choy, sprouts, broccoli, artichoke, cabbage, leeks, cauliflower, onions, and peppers are all healthy bets. Like with fruits, canned vegetables are not always good for your diet. Many canned vegetables have added flavoring, sugar, fat, or salt added to them before they are canned. Always be sure to look on the label of any canned vegetables, fruits, or fruit products before adding them to your diet as some labeling is deceptive until you take a closer look. Glucose Monitoring Most importantly, be sure to use your glucose monitor frequently and routinely to see how any dietary changes affect your individual glucose levels. |
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PeggyMetos |
Latest page update: made by PeggyMetos
, Aug 14 2011, 7:34 PM EDT
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