Nutritional Food in a Diabetic Diet

Importance of Healthy Diet Plan for Diabetics

For people with diabetes, their blood sugar levels can be easily managed if they watch out on what they eat. While medications can help control your blood sugar levels, eating healthy foods can help you do this naturally without any side effects.

Here is why it is important to develop a healthy diabetic diet:

• Improves overall wellness

• Controls blood sugar levels

• Controls blood lipid levels

• Efficient Weight Management

• Reduces Diabetic Complications

What is involved in a diabetic diet plan?

Your dietician will chalk out a healthy diabetic diet plan for you. Your age, lifestyle, eating styles, existing medical conditions (if any) and tastes play an important role in deciding your diet. A diabetic diet plan involves managing your intake of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to maintain stable blood sugar levels. Key components typically include

• Carbohydrates –

Controlling and monitoring the amount of carbohydrates you consume is crucial as they directly affect blood sugar levels. Choose complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables over simple sugars.

• Fibre –

Incorporating fibre-rich foods should be on the top of your diabetic diet food list, as it helps control the spike in blood sugar levels and improves digestive health. Green leafy vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains, nuts, and legumes are excellent sources of fibre.

• Proteins –

Include lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, fish, and tofu to help with satiety and maintain muscle mass.

• Omega 3 fatty acids –

Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, and tuna are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients improve the overall health of your heart, thereby keeping diabetic complications away.

• Fats –

Contrary to popular belief, you should not exclude fat totally from your diet. A diabetic diet should include some good fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats) as they contribute to heart health and keeps cholesterol levels under check. Avocados, olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil, and nuts are rich in good fats.

• Consistency & Portion Control –

Eating meals and snacks throughout the day at regular intervals helps prevent spikes or drops in blood sugar levels. Monitoring portion sizes avoids overeating and helps to maintain a healthy weight.

Risks without a Proper Diet Plan

When you don’t have a proper diet plan, you may be tempted to eat risky foods, such as processed food, high-fat and high-dairy content, and other unhealthy foods filled with sodium, mercury, and toxic chemicals. This can result in:

• Increased risk of heart ailments and diabetic complications

• Huge spike in blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels

• Clogged arteries

• Other severe health complications