Healthy Eating with Type 2 Diabetes
Planning meals may seem like a daunting task once you've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but it doesn't have to be.
Certain eating strategies and certain categories of foods will help make managing your diabetes a breeze.
Eating Strategies
Portion Control
Awareness of the amount of food you're eating will greatly improve your control over diabetes. Portion sizes have been getting out of hand, so be sure to consult with your dietician about the proper portion of each food group you should be eating at each meal.
Carbohydrates, often found in the form of glucose, provide your body with the fuel it needs to keep going each day, but they drastically alter your blood sugar levels. It’s important to have a firm grasp on what your portion of carbohydrates should be at every meal.
Carbohydrate Counting
Carbohydrate counting will help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels throughout the day. About 90 percent of the carbohydrates you consume will break down into glucose. Click here for a helpful guide to counting carbs.
Spacing Out Your Meals
Eating multiple small meals throughout the day will help stabilize your blood sugar levels. Blood sugar spikes and dips occur with infrequent meals or one to two large meals each day. Prevent these highs and lows by eating at regular intervals.
Know Your Food
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are necessary to keep your body running, but diabetics must closely monitor the amount of carbohydrates consumed because of the effect they have on blood sugar levels. Common sources of carbohydrates include fruit, dairy, grains, and starchy vegetables like potatoes and beans.
Fiber
Fiber helps foods move along the digestive tract and can help fight obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease. It helps control blood sugar levels by delaying sugar absorption. Common sources of fiber include fresh fruits and vegetables, brown rice, and bran products.
Fats
Diabetics should limit fat consumption as much as possible, as saturated fats are commonly associated with obesity and heart disease. Common sources of fat include dairy products, beef, and cooking oils.
Sources: WebMD, Spark People
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