Following A Diabetes Diet Plan
One of the best and most recommended ways of keeping diabetes in check is by following a diabetes diet plan. Of course, you have to consult a nutritionist before you embark on one, but following such a diet plan is the ideal way of making sure that diabetes does not get the best of you. A qualified nutritionist can make sure that there is enough variation in the diet without sacrificing any of the essential nutrition that your body needs.
The typical diet plan for a diabtic must include 50% starch, 30% protein and 20% fat. The diabetic food pyramid recommends a certain measurement level and because of this, preparing diabetic food must be done according to exact and standard measurements, such as 1 cup, 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon.
Baked, broiled, steamed and boiled foods are ideal in a diabetic person’s diet, and fried foods must be avoided at all time. No snacks are allowed between meals and meals must never be missed, because it can put your metabolic system into turmoil if you do. So, this means that when you are eating out, you order only fat-free and low caloric dishes.
Fructose is much easily digested than sucrose, so consuming a lot of fruits and vegetables is recommended, but they must be fresh and not frozen. Frozen foods are often preserved with various fatty and sugary chemicals. Avoid whole milk dairy products in your daily meals, but you should get your necessary dairy intake by drinking skimmed milk. Look away from all sweets, honey and candy items and other bakery and/or confectionery items containing high amounts of enriched carbohydrates.
Binges out on the town are out of the picture, too, when you are on your diabetic eating plan. Alcohol should be strictly avoided. Red meat, mayonnaise, eggs and other foods that are high in cholesterol and fat content should be avoided as far as possible too. Fizzy drinks, sauces and dressings and bottled juice are other items you must try and avoid. What you should aim at is a daily intake of around 1800 calories. This means that your daily diet must be carefully planned.
The simplest and most nutritious diabetes diet plan for a single day can include a breakfast containing 2/3 cup of apple juice, cup of oatmeal, 1 slice of wholemeal bread toast, 1 soft cooked egg and 1 cup unsweetened skimmed milk. Lunch can be cup of tuna, 2 slices of wholemeal bread, cup diced tomatoes, 1 cup mixed fruit, 1 tsp margarine and 1 glass lemon tea. The ideal dinner meal would be 3 ounces of baked chicken, cup of mashed potatoes, 1 slice of wholemeal bread, 1 cup broccoli or tossed salad. Try not to use store-bought salad dressing. Instead, use a 1tsp of olive oil mixed with some vinegar mixed in chopped garlic and parsley/basil/sage or oregano to add flavor.
So making the right diabetes diet plan is not easy - you have to know what nutrition your body needs and you have to understand your metabolism. With your doctor, you can make your own diet plan to keep diabetes away, which will be tasty, healthy and a pleasure to follow.
