- It is important to work with your doctor to create a diet that is right for you. It is essential to feed your body a balanced diet without raising or lowering your blood sugar level. There are many online resources that offer recipes for diabetics, as well as cookbooks that can be checked out at your local library. With a little research and time, you will find what foods work well with your body.
- Carbohydrates are essential for energy, but for a diabetic they can also be challenging since they affect the blood sugar level directly. There are three types of essential carbohydrates for a diabetic to track: starch, sugar and dietary fiber. Foods that fall into these categories are fruits, beans, whole grains, milk, yogurt and snack foods (chips, pretzels, and cookies), all of which should be eaten in moderation. Most diabetics should eat about 45 to 60 grams of carbohydrates per meal.
- The amount of fat that a diabetic gets is also important since the wrong kind of fat can raise blood cholesterol levels, which puts her more at risk for heart disease. Fats a diabetic should always avoid are butter, cream cheese, shortening, margarine, heavy cream and high-fat meats. She should also choose oils that are monounsaturated, such as olive and canola, for cooking and baking. Polyunsaturated fats, found in nuts and seeds, are also a wise choice, though it is important to remember that all fats are full of calories, so they should always be eaten in moderation.
- Sweets should only be eaten once in awhile, and when they are, they must be accounted for as a carbohydrate. For example, a medium-size apple has 25 grams of carbohydrates. If the diabetic wants to eat two chocolate chip cookies with lunch, which on average have seven grams of carbohydrates each, then she can eat half an apple rather than the whole piece of fruit. The key to substitution is knowing the number of grams of carbohydrates in the foods you are eating.
-
Being diabetic doesn't mean life stops, and eating in restaurants is still something a diabetic can do---she just needs to be more careful. Luckily, most restaurants today offer items catering to healthy eaters.
Here are a few tips to make eating out easy. First, plan ahead. Do not eat at fast-food restaurants that only deep-fry their foods. Order foods that you would eat at home. Don't be afraid to ask the waiter or chef specific questions about how a certain item is prepared. Always ask for baked potatoes and salads with dressings or sauces served on the side, and ask if they are available in low-calorie or fat-free versions. Also, ask for substitutes: If your meal comes with fries, ask for a side of steamed veggies with no butter instead.
