The Importance of the RIGHT Diabetes Diet!

By educating yourself on what a good diabetes diet is - taking care of yourself will be a cinch. Eating the right foods will help keep your blood sugar, in your target range. which will in turn lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, and other complications caused by diabetes

 Physical activity and, if needed, diabetes medicines may also help. Before meals blood glucose levels should be in the 70 to 130 range and not higher than 180 1 to 2 hours after a meal.

Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia)

At times your blood glucose may drop to low if you are taking diabetes medications. Some symptoms may include: 

• shakiness,

•  weakness,

•  confusion,

•  irritableness,

•  hunger, 

• and tiredness.

 After checking your blood sugars and it is below 70 taking something with sugar in it such as fruit juice, honey, hard candy or glucose tablets will bring it back up.

The Diabetes Food Pyramid

The diabetes food pyramid divides foods into groups. A good diabetes diet can be taken from these groups. While eating more from the groups at the bottom of the pyramid, and less from the groups at the top is suggested, overeating when it comes to carbohydrates.  

Carbohydrates include starches, fruits, some vegetables, milk and of course sweets. These affect your blood glucose levels the most (over consumption from these groups are sometimes contributed to insulin resistance). Check with your health provider to find out how much should be eaten from each group.

Starches

Starches are the heavy hitters of the carbohydrates. Some include: bread, grains, cereal, pasta, and starchy vegetables like corn and potatoes. They provide carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. 

Whole grain starches are healthier because they have more vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They enter the blood stream slower than processed "carbs".

Vegetables

Vegetables provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Most are low in carbohydrate. 

Fruits

Fruits provide carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Milk provides carbohydrate, protein, calcium, vitamins, and minerals.

Meat and Meat Substitutes

The meat and meat substitutes group include: meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, fish, and tofu. Eat small amounts of some of these foods each day. Meat and meat substitutes provide protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Limit the amount of fats and sweets you eat. Fats have a lot of calories. Sweets can be high in carbohydrate and fat. Both are very low in nutrition.

Limiting these foods will help you lose weight and keep your blood glucose and blood fats under control.

The importance of sticking to a good diabetic diet NOW - will determine future complications. When using the suggested  reversing diabetes diet - carbohydrate consumption is very limited.