Managing Your Diabetes Thanks To A Healthy Diet
If you have diabetes, you need to make some changes to your diet right away. This article will help you make some positive changes to the way you eat.
As a diabetic, it is best to eat five or six small meals throughout your day so you can spread your sugar intake more evenly. If you eat three larger meals, your blood sugar will spike right after your meal and you will feel hungry or even weak in between meals. Keep track of your sugar level throughout the day and write down your sugar level in a journal. You will eventually get a better idea of how many meals you need in a day.
It is best to eat balanced meals and make sure your portions correspond to what you need. Figure out how many calories you need in a day and keep track of everything you eat to make sure you respect your daily caloric requirements. Each meal should include some cereal, fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy products and a small quantity of healthy fats. Meet with a nutritionist if you need help with adopting a healthy diet.
Foods rich in whole grains and fibers will help you. You can get your daily requirements of whole grains if you eat some whole wheat bread, whole grain pasta and some brown rice. Replace white bread, regular pasta and white rice with these healthier foods in your favorite dishes or sandwiches. You can find fibers in spinach, beets, beans or bran cereal. Do not hesitate to take some supplements if you have a hard time introducing whole grains and fibers into your diet.
If you are overweight, you need to work on getting in shape. Your diet can help you lose a lot of weight if you stay away from foods rich in fat, sugar, preservatives and other unhealthy ingredients. Watch the quantities you eat and always check the labels of the foods you eat. Do not let foods advertised as light or fat free fool you; these foods often contain high amounts of another unhealthy ingredient.
Always carry some healthy snacks with you such as a fruit, some raw vegetable stick or some nuts. If you feel hungry or dizzy, check your sugar level right away. Eat a fruit if you need to boost your sugar level or choose a sugar free snack if you think eating a fruit will cause your sugar level to spike. You should not wait too long if you experience hunger or dizziness; you might pass out if you do not get the sugar or the insulin you need depending on your situation. You might be craving sugary foods or beverages if your sugar level is low, but make a healthy nutritional choice to prevent your sugar level from spiking.
These tips will help you adopt a healthy diet and keep your diabetes under control. Do not hesitate to get some help from your doctor or from a nutritionist if you need to.