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Diabetic Food

Diet is the most common cause and cure for diabetes. The fat consumed will slow the process of digestion of even simple starches and cause elevation of the glucose level. A moderate diet of all the food groups will maintain the body’s function ability to maximum efficiency.

The plate you prepare for yourself, should be divided into fourths; vegetables, starches and proteins. Portion control is the hardest to make so here are some of the suggestions given by the WebMd portion control guide. A baked potato should be the size of a computer mouse. 1 cup is about the size of a baseball, cup the size of a normal light bulb, 1 ounce or 2 tablespoons is about the size of a golf ball. 1 tablespoon is about the size of a poker chip. A slice of bread should be no bigger than a cassette tape (for those of you who know what that is). 3 ounces of chicken or meat is the size of a deck of cards and 3 ounces of fish should be no bigger than a check book. 1 ounce of lunch meat is about the size of a compact disk. This gives you some idea of relationship sizing of your portions. Taking control of your portions and your diet will go along way to lowering your blood sugar levels and help to maintain a healthy body.

Make sure you establish a routine for eating. The diabetic needs to eat 3 meals and three snacks. The snacks are; mid morning, mid afternoon and before bedtime. Keeping this routine will counter any blood sugar spikes or drops. The body will maintain the proper amount of energy needed throughout the day and keep the mental aspect in top condition.

Your meals should equal the same caloric intake every day. You may need to adjust a little if you plan on a high calorie burning activity. Then eat an apple or a 1/3 cup pasta or something that will give your body a boost when needed. Don’t forget a health bar in your pocket for emergencies. The bedtime snack can be a 1 cup of fat free ice cream, now that is treat. (no chocolate syrup)

There are many ways of maintaining weight control and caloric control. There doesn’t need to be monotony in a diabetic’s diet. The Mayo Clinic admonishes to use “exchanges.” This is when you take a food that has the same amount of fat, carbohydrate or protein that one food has and “exchange” it for another food of equal value. For instance you can exchange 1 small apple for a 1/3 cup of pasta. You could exchange a cup tabbouleh, prepared, with 1 cup of squash, should you be so inclined.

Diabetic cookbooks, magazines can be found in bookstores, checkout lines at the grocery stores or on line. The web has many places that have recipes and meal planning for challenged diabetics. From appetizers to desserts, there are recipes for the diabetic that will have your mouth watering.

Cooking for a diabetic may be challenging but nothing they eat needs to separate from what a non-diabetic eats. Make the same meal for everyone. We all need to eat healthier.

Diet and exercise in a routine is what keeps diabetics healthy, happy and alive.

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