Your Diet and Diabetes

There are many factors that you need to take into consideration when you have Diabetes. Among the most important is diet. Maintaining the proper weight is key to managing your Diabetes. Your physician will usually recommend that you consult a nutritionist to offer the right menu options for you.

Having Diabetes does not mean that you have to give up foods that have taste. It means that you have to find different foods that fit within your dietary restrictions. You will need to consume a certain amount of calories each day to maintain the right blood sugar level.

According to the American Diabetes Association, it is recommended that a person with Diabetes eat small meals several times a day instead of three heavy meals. This will help keep your blood sugar at the recommended level. It is important to monitor your blood sugar several times a day.

If you are overweight, it is important to lose the excess weight, however it is critical that you do it in an all-natural way. Do not take dietary supplements or start a diet without consulting your physician first. Diabetics who are overweight double their risk of getting heart disease. They also have a higher risk of high cholesterol and blood pressure, which can also lead to heart disease. A nutritionist can create the perfect dietary plan that will taste great and assist you in losing the weight that you need.

A diet for Diabetes should include a variety of fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamins, minerals and fiber. The key to a Diabetes diet is variety! There are so many choices, that no one should feel like they are missing out on anything.

You do not have to give up the foods that you love. You may have to adjust how often you eat them and in what portions, however, when you have a great menu plan, you will not miss out on anything.

Just as important as what you eat is when you eat it. This means that creating a routine is essential. Eating the same amount of carbohydrate and calories at each will help to regulate your blood glucose level and your weight will stabilize.

Although variety is a great thing, one of the drawbacks is that it will be more difficult to control your blood sugar level. Each food has a different amount of calories and carbohydrates, however if you research what foods have the same nutritional value you may be able to safely add a variety to your diet.

The American Diabetes Association recommends the following formula.

Carbohydrates 45 to 65% of daily calories
Protein 15 to 20% of daily calories
Fats 20 to 35% of daily calories

Because a Diabetic has an increased risk of heart disease, it is recommended that saturated and trans fat be limited. No more then seven percent of your daily calories should come from these.

Butter and margarine have large amounts of saturated and trans fat. By substituting with low fat yogurt or sugar free jams and jellies, you can reduce your intake drastically.

Creating the right Diabetic diet can be confusing, however when you have the assistance of a nutritionist to assist you, creating a great menu plan with many options to choose from will allow you to manage your Diabetes and still have tasty meals and snacks.