-
Step 1
Learn as much as you can about nutrition for diabetic patients. This will help you keep tabs on your diet and improve those areas where your diet is not making the most sense according to your needs and goals.
-
Step 2
Keep a food diary. Not only will you become more conscious of what you're eating and when, but a food diary can also help you understand which areas of your diet need improvement. If you need to lose weight, a food diary can help you weed out bad food choices or see what amounts you are really eating.
-
Step 3
Avoid foods that have a quick and significant impact on your blood sugar levels or that retain water and affect your overall feeling. These include salt, sucrose (table sugar), full-fat dairy products (which contains lactose) and processed foods.
-
Step 4
Monitor your intake of white flour products and foods with a high glycemic index. All products made with refined grains and white flour raise blood sugar significantly and should only be consumed sporadically or not at all. Instead, choose whole grains and products made with soy flour or whole wheat.
-
Step 5
Learn to count calories and monitor your carbohydrate intake. This is important as many diabetic people have a tendency to gain weight and not lose it easily. To monitor your food intake, you can use an online database such as the one available at DiabetesNet.com (see Resources below).
-
Step 6
Reduce the amount of fruit you eat, especially bananas and dried fruits such as raisins. Also avoid fruit juices, even the natural ones (without added sugars). Fruits are absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and can cause a significant spike in the blood sugar levels of a diabetic. Instead, choose raw, whole fruits with a low glycemic index, such as apples, cherries and pears.
