Diabetes Diet

A diabetic is someone whose insulin is not able to keep the sugar in blood at normal levels. Hence, a diabetic has to always keep in check the everyday sugar intake. It is also important that the food intake prevents from further complications of health (like the diseases of heart and kidneys.) which result from long term diabetes. Hence one should limit their intake of fats and salt.

Some points to be taken into account while moderating your diet:

1. Avoid saturated fats and trans-fatty acids (like margarine and fast foods).

2. Consume alcohol in moderated amounts. If possible one should completely avoid it.

3. Moderated amounts of fresh fruits should be taken.

4. Every meal should be a fiber rich diet by consuming whole grains, leafy vegetables, nuts, beans and peas. Also whole wheat pastas, whole wheat breads, brown rice, oats are good in fiber and have complex carbohydrates due to which there is no surge in the sugar level on ingesting them.

5. Doctors usually recommend that proteins should provide 12% to 20% of the daily calories in a diabetic diet as proteins are one more important element required by diabetics. The best source of protein is fish. For those who are vegetarians, spinach is a very good source of protein.

6. Foods like chocolates, ice creams, desserts, honey, sugar, sweet drinks, aerated drinks (as these need a very high amount of sugar to keep the drinks sweet in taste.), candies, cakes and even jams should be avoided to the maximum extent.

7. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, mangoes, bananas, grapes, arbi, yam, alcoholic beverages and also fried foods like potatoe chips, salad oils, dry fruits, cakes & pastries should be totally avoided.

8. Salads consisting of sprouts, cabbage, cucumber, carrots, and radish should be taken at least once a day.

9. Coffee & Tea minus the sugar can be taken. (Though now a days sugar free tablets like Zero, Equal and various other products are available, it is recommended not use them. As these products may harm your health in the long term.)

10. Soups and buttermilk can be taken frequently.

11. Fruits like guavas, papayas, etc which is low in sugar can be taken.

12. Take less quantity meals in small intervals of time.

All the above points may make you feel that the food may not taste well. But with a little bit of innovation your daily food would taste the same as before.