When it comes to being a diabetic, the most important things you can do for your health include eating good nutrition and exercising every day. By doing these things, you can ensure your blood glucose levels will stay in the normal range that your doctor recommends. There are certain foods you should eat when you have diabetes. Keep reading to learn about the best nutrition for diabetes patients.
Best Nutrition For Diabetes Patients
Maybe you think that having diabetes means that you have to stop eating your favorite foods. Well, there is good news on that subject, You can still eat your favorite foods but you will have to make them smaller portions. The important thing to remember about having diabetes is that you need to eat smaller portions of your food or eat less often.
It is also highly recommended that you eat some every day from the four food groups. Some of these foods you can eat include the following:
Vegetables
The non-starchy vegetables that you can eat with diabetes are:
- broccoli
- Greens
- Peppers
- Carrots
Starchy vegetables that you can eat with diabetes include:
- Potatoes
- Peas
- Corn
Fruits
- Oranges
- Berries
- Grapes
- Bananas
- Apples
- Melons
Grains
The best grains for diabetes patients to consume are whole grains and they include:
- Rice
- Wheat
- Cornmeal
- Oats
- Barley
- Quinoa
Protein
- Lean Meat
- Skinless chicken
- Skinless turkey
- Eggs
- Fish
- Peanuts
- Nuts
- Dried beans
- Chickpeas
- Split peas
- Tofu
Non-Fat Or Low-Fat Dairy
- Milk
- Lactose-free milk (For lactose intolerance people)
- Yogurt
- Cheese
Heart-Healthy Foods
Diabetes patients should also consume heart-healthy foods including:
- Canola oil
- Olive oil
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Mackeral
- Avocado
Diabetes patients should also use oils instead of butter when cooking. They should also avoid cooking with cream, lard, stick margarine, and shortening.
Foods And Drinks To Avoid As A Diabetes Patient
Some of the worst foods and drinks for diabetes patients include anything with saturated fats, trans fats, fried foods, foods with a lot of salt, baked goods, ice cream, candy, drinks with extra sugar in them, like juice, regular sports drinks, regular energy drinks, and regular soda.
Best Time To Eat When Suffering From Diabetes
The best time to eat when you have diabetes is different for each person with the disease. It really depends on whether you are on medication or insulin. However, some diabetics should eat at the same time every day. Then, there are some who have more freedom when it comes to when they can eat. One thing is for sure though, don’t skip meals of your levels will drop and it will make you sick and weak.
It is always best to speak with your nutrition doctor or endocrinologist about this.
How Much Food Can You Eat When You Are a Diabetic?
Eating the right amount of food is a good idea when you suffer from diabetes. Many diabetes patients get tired if they don’t eat at a certain time. They will lose their energy and this tells them they need a meal to wake up. However, this is another question to ask your doctor.
Knowing what to eat, what foods to avoid, when to eat, and how much to eat will help you stay healthy while suffering from diabetes. If you are overweight or obese with diabetes, it is even more important for you to know what to eat, when to eat, what you should avoid, and how much food you should eat. This isn’t just good to keep your blood glucose levels normal but it is also good for weight loss. Asking a weight loss doctor will give you a better idea as to how you should approach the way you eat. They can even provide you with a weight loss program to help you along your journey.
The World Health Organization suggests you eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, which is normally five or six times per day.
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