Lifestyle and Diet
Approach food with your mind wide open.
"Can you eat that?" It’s a question you’ll probably hear a lot from people who know you have diabetes. And in a word, the answer is "yes."
People with diabetes can eat the same kinds of foods, in moderation, as anyone in their family or their culture.
It’s what happens after the food is eaten that’s different.
For the person without diabetes, the body’s pancreas swings into action, automatically providing the insulin needed to convert food into usable energy.
As a person with diabetes, things are not that automatic. You may produce some insulin, but not enough to do the job. Your body may be resistant to insulin or you may produce no insulin at all.
As a result, you will not be able to eat as much of some foods or eat them as often. That’s why diet is a foundation of any healthy diabetes lifestyle.
Meal Plan
The meal plan you and your health care team will work out is a blueprint that will allow you to turn the calories you consume into usable energy.
The plan takes into consideration your age, gender, occupation, weight goal, food preferences, physical activities and social needs.
The purpose of the plan is to balance your food intake, activity, and medication into a predictable, manageable package.
For some people, a change of diet may be the only diabetes management tool that’s needed. Even the loss of just 15 pounds has been known to improve or even normalize blood sugar in some people with type 2 diabetes.
Many people who develop type 2 diabetes are often overweight. Losing weight can help maintain normal blood sugar levels and prevent heart and blood vessel diseases.
If you use insulin to manage your diabetes, you and your health care team will balance your caloric intake with your insulin dosage.
Your doctor, dietitian, diabetes educator or nutritionist can help you develop a meal plan that’s right for you. It doesn’t have to be boring or difficult to follow. In fact, there is no need for other members of your family to eat differently than you. After all, what’s good for your health is probably also good for theirs.
Weight loss is best achieved gradually - a pound or two a week is sufficient. Extreme diets should never be attempted except under a doctor’s supervision. Diabetes meal planning means choosing the right foods and eating them in the right amounts at regular intervals.
Eat Smart
When you shop, cook or eat out, make healthy choices. Select foods that are low in fat; avoid fried foods, fatty meats, products packed in oil and foods prepared with creamy sauces or butter. Choose foods that are broiled, steamed, grilled or baked. Avoid those that are fried, sauted or breaded.
Learn as much as you can about foods and good nutrition habits. You’ll find you have more choices than you thought.
Finally, if you slip up, don’t be discouraged. Everyone does occasionally. Just get back
on the road to control at your next meal. A diet that’s part of your lifestyle is a lifelong pursuit.