How to Feel Full on a Diabetic Diet

Test your glucose levels often.

Diabetes is a disease that stops producing enough insulin to break down sugar effectively. Diet, exercise and heredity are leading factors in obtaining this disease. Obesity also plays a small part in this growing problem as well. Sticking to a diabetic diet may be difficult for some. At first, you may feel hungry all the time. However, once you become use to eating correctly the hungry feeling will subside.

Instructions

1. Eat often. Diabetics need approximately four to five small meals per day as well as two or three snacks. If you eat carbohydrates, it is important to consume a non-carbohydrate first. Carbohydrates changes into sugar instantly. If you eat (for example) cheese first and then a potato, the cheese breaks up the carbohydrates, allowing the sugar from the potato to be more slowly absorbed.

2. Consume two glasses of water between meals. Drink an abundance of water daily (eight 8-ounce glasses.)

3. Eat fiber enriched meals and snacks. Fiber is a heavy substitute to "empty" calories. Each meal should consist of at least two fiber items. During snacks, eat at least one. Fiber foods consist of bran, lentils and spinach.

4. Take a walk. Hunger can be a mental or emotional problem. Going for a walk or keeping your mind occupied will allow you to get through until your next meal or snack.

Tips & Warnings

• Always follow your doctor's instructions. This includes any diet or exercise plan, taking your medication as prescribed, as well as testing your glucose levels.

References

• Eating Diabetic -- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
• Eat Well with Diabetes -- Magic Kitchen

Resources

• Fiber Chart