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Jun 19

Diabetes Diet: What are the Best Foods for Diabetes? – DrugWatch.com

What Is a Diabetes Diet?

A diabetes diet is a specific regimen of eating healthy foods in moderation while sticking to regular mealtimes. The healthy eating plan is naturally rich in nutrients and low in calories and fat. Its key elements are vegetables, fruits, whole grains and healthy fats.

If you have prediabetes or diabetes, your doctor might recommend a dietitian who will work with you to develop a customized meal plan.

A diet that is high in fat, cholesterol and calories may increase your risk of prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. It can also cause serious health issues in people with Type 1 diabetes. A diabetes diet can help you control your blood sugar, manage your weight and prevent complications.

A diabetes diet plan is a good tool for people living with diabetes that helps them manage their blood sugar. Treating the condition with a structured diet that has a history of success allows someone with Type 2 diabetes to lower blood sugar levels and control the disease.

A healthy diet that keeps your blood sugar within acceptable limits could also prevent the escalation of prediabetes to Type 2 diabetes.

Nearly 10% of women who are pregnant will experience gestational diabetes, which is caused by a form of insulin resistance. Fortunately, it can be managed through lifestyle changes and a gestational diet, often without having to take medication.

A gestational diabetes diet should include plenty of nonstarchy vegetables, lean protein and correctly portioned complex carbohydrates.

Eating foods that are high in calories, sugar, fat, salt and processed carbohydrates can lead to high blood sugar, weight gain, high blood pressure and elevated blood fats (high triglyceride levels), which are risk factors for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

Researchers have found that following a diabetes diet can help reverse prediabetes and control Type 2 diabetes.

Following a diabetes diet plan doesnt mean you cant enjoy delicious food. It is recommended that you choose options from all food groups in portioned amounts.

The following food groups are essential to a successful diabetes diet.

Starchy and sugary carbohydrates raise blood sugar levels. However, they can also help balance your meal plan in the right amounts. Eat healthy carbohydrate foods such as:

Avoid unhealthy carbohydrates, including food and drinks with added sugars, fats and sodium.

Dietary fiber moderates how the body digests food and helps lower blood sugar levels, which makes it an important part of a diabetes diet.

A diabetes diet should include heart-healthy fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon or tuna. However, avoid fried fish or fish with high mercury levels such as swordfish and king mackerel.

Dietitians consider foods containing monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats (such as omega-3) to be healthy fats because they help lower cholesterol levels. Foods in these categories include:

These fats are an important part of a healthy, balanced diet when consumed in moderation. Speak to a registered dietitian to learn more about the right portions for your specific health needs.

Diabetes increases the risk of stroke and heart disease because it accelerates the development of clogged, hardened arteries. Thats why dietitians recommend a healthy diet that avoids the following foods:

Avoid alcohol or drink moderately no more than one to two drinks per day. If you do drink, make an effort to eat at the same time. Drinking large amounts of alcohol with no food can drop your blood sugar to dangerous levels.

A diabetes diet plan helps your body better use the insulin it naturally produces or gets through medication. This leads to controlled blood sugar levels.

One example of a diabetes diet plan is the plate method, a simple way of planning your diet and portions. Some general guidelines include:

Counting carbohydrates to keep track of the amount you consume in each snack or meal is another way to ensure your diabetes diet plan stays on track. Carbohydrate information can be found on the nutrition facts label of most products.

Using the glycemic index method of selecting carbohydrates also helps control your blood glucose levels. The index rates how quickly the food will affect your blood glucose levels by using high and low values.

A dietitian can help you put together the right diabetes diet plan based on your lifestyle and health goals.

Embracing a diabetes diet helps keep your blood sugar levels in control. It is also effective in preventing diabetes and its complications, reversing prediabetes, and in managing your diabetes treatment.

In addition to diabetes prevention and control, a diabetes diet promotes healthy eating and helps lower and maintain your body weight, reducing the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

If you are experiencing symptoms of diabetes, your physician might recommend a diabetes test. You can also obtain more health information on diabetes diet plans from your doctor or nutritionist.

Please seek the advice of a medical professional before making health care decisions.

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Diabetes Diet: What are the Best Foods for Diabetes? - DrugWatch.com

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