| Diabetes is a disease that affects the | | | | more servings per day |
| blood's sugar levels creating a higher amount | | | | |
| than the body can manage with its own, | | | | Choose whole-grain and whole-wheat breads and |
| natural insulin. Therefore, most often times, | | | | flours over the white variety for baking and |
| it must be maintained with medication. But in | | | | eating. Beans are a great source of fiber as |
| addition to prescription medication, exercise | | | | well as low in sugar. Pretzels and low-fat |
| and eating habits play a huge role in | | | | crackers are perfect choices for snacking and |
| maintaining a healthy blood sugar level. A | | | | if they're the lower-salt varieties, even |
| specific, healthy eating diet plan must be | | | | better. |
| incorporated to a diabetic lifestyle - no | | | | |
| ifs, ands or buts about it. | | | | Fruit - 2 to 4 servings daily |
| | | | |
| For the majority of people with diabetes, a | | | | Citrus fruits are the best for diabetics. Eat |
| healthy eating diet plan includes several, | | | | whole fruits in their natural state over the |
| smaller meals throughout the day on a more | | | | canned assortments because aside from having |
| condensed, periodic basis in order to help in | | | | less sugar, they also contain more fiber. If |
| successfully maintaining sugar and glucose | | | | choosing the canned, frozen or juice variety, |
| levels. And because a diabetic is eating more | | | | always pick those that do not contain added |
| often, it's imperative that those meals | | | | sweeteners or syrups. |
| consist of good food choices. Let's take a | | | | |
| look at some tips for healthy eating habits | | | | Vegetables - 3 to 5 servings a day |
| in this realm. | | | | |
| | | | Dark green and deep yellow vegetables are the |
| - Choose foods with lower fat contents | | | | best way to go. Eat freshly prepared |
| including the use of non-stick sprays when | | | | vegetables whenever possible. If choosing the |
| cooking instead of oil as often as possible. | | | | prepared variety, pick those are made without |
| | | | the addition of sauces and/or salt. |
| - Stay away from fruit juices and other | | | | |
| beverages that contain high fructose levels | | | | Milk and Dairy - 2 to 3 serving every day |
| including naturally sweetened drinks. | | | | |
| | | | Drink low or non-fat milk. Choose only |
| - Decrease salt intake and salty foods like | | | | low-fat yogurt made with artificial |
| pickles, packaged soups and processed meats. | | | | sweeteners. |
| | | | |
| - Read the food labels on prepared products | | | | Meat, Poultry, Fish - 2 to 3 servings daily |
| before ingesting because even something | | | | |
| seemingly harmless can pose a risk. | | | | Always choose leaner cuts of red meat and |
| | | | trim all fat before preparing. Consume more |
| There is actually a food pyramid designed | | | | pork, fish and chicken - remove the skin |
| specifically for people with diabetes. And | | | | before cooking. Bake, broil, grill or roast |
| guess what it's called? The Diabetes Food | | | | instead of frying. |
| Pyramid! It's an exceptional guideline for | | | | |
| what and how much to eat that anyone with | | | | Fat - limit fat intake, specifically trans |
| this disease should be aware of and utilizing | | | | and saturated. |
| every day. It's broken down into the same | | | | |
| basic categories as the regular food pyramid, | | | | By always taking prescribed medications, |
| but the recommend serving sizes are different | | | | sticking to a fitness routine and healthy |
| as are the specific, coordinating foods. | | | | eating diet plan, successful management of |
| Following is an overview of the Diabetes Food | | | | diabetes will be almost guaranteed. Always |
| Pyramid with required serving amounts: | | | | consult a physician before starting any new |
| | | | lifestyle routine. |
| Grain, Beans and Starchy Vegetables - 6 or | | | | |