People who have just been diagnosed with diabetes may get all sorts of advice about what they should eat and what they should not. This is only natural because nutrition plays a vital role in the daily management of your disease. However, it is also true that a lot of advice you hear may be wrong or it may be based on hearsay - something that is too dangerous for you to take seriously.
The aim of a diabetic meal plan is threefold:
* Provide sufficient nutrition
* Keep your weight under control
* Keep hunger at bay by balancing your blood sugar levels
To achieve all of the above, a good diabetic meal plan consists of foods that are low in sugar, sodium and fat. Incidentally, this kind of diet is best suited for non-diabetics too.
Elements of your diabetic meal plan:
Ideally, you must include different kinds of healthy foods in your meal plan. You must base your diet on fruits, vegetables, cereals, meat, fish and dairy. Fried, salty foods or foods rich in sugar content are taboo. That means, you have to say a resounding 'no' to fast food and be on high alert with most restaurant foods.
A diabetic meals must contain high amounts of fiber. Therefore, the food they eat must contain whole grains and healthy carbohydrates.
Does a diabetic meal plan have to bland and boring?
Far from it. In fact, colorful, interesting food is best suited for diabetics because such foods contain vast reserves of nutrients. It is true that when you have to keep away from excess fat, sugar and salt, you may lose out on some of the flavors that you previously enjoyed. However, you can compensate that with the clever use of herbs and spices. For instance, you might need to stick with egg-whites, but try adding a dash of cinnamon to it and enjoy the new flavor.
To have or not to have?
It is true that a diabetic meal plan must contain little to no sugar, white breads and alcohol. This does not mean that diabetics must eliminate all of the above completely. They are permitted to have small amounts every once in a while, so long as they monitor their blood glucose levels closely. Wine is loaded with sugar. So, it is better avoided. But, if you must have it, opt for red wine, and keep strict control over how much you consume.
Calorie counting:
The best way to take in sufficient nutrients without upsetting your calorie count is to structure your diet around the required number of calories. So, if you need 1200 calories or 1600 calories, prepare a menu for your daily meal that restricts what you eat to so many calories. This way, you need not fear putting on weight.
One of the best kept secrets of healthy diabetics is their meal plan. There are sufficient resources when it comes to recipes and menus for diabetics - and there are plenty of choices too. Learn more about these recipes. Plan your meal once every week and follow your plan closely. You will then see that there is nothing overwhelming about a diabetic meal plan. The mantra is simple: eat healthy and 'lite'!
Thank you for reading this article about diabetic meals. If you would also like to learn about diabetic desserts, then check out our sugar free desserts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alice_Shown
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