Types Of Food And Diabetes

August 26, 2007 by Max Peykar

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Now that you have been diagnosed with diabetes don’t despair. You can go on enjoying life as usual in spite of what all your friends and relatives be saying to you. We all know that now you possibly can’t go on with your reckless food habits. You will have to be a little disciplined and careful regarding your food intake.

But with a little careful planning and a change in your food habits you can easily control this disease and live a fulfilling life. If you are one of those who have always ignored the healthy food guides then you can just remind yourself of the great physique you will acquire when you change your food habits!

You must keep an eye on your calories intake and diabetic diet if you have type 1 or type 2 or gestational diabetes. There are plenty of free and easy recipes available on the net which have been designed keeping in mind your diabetes calorie intake and diet according to the recommendations of the food pyramid.

You should be taking a low carbohydrate diet for diabetes, and the recipes for diabetes even have special diabetic dessert recipes. You possibly couldn’t ask for more!

How much you should intake from which part of the food pyramid depends on what are your diabetic goals, what are your nutritional needs, the type of lifestyle you lead and the food that you enjoy. The free and easy recipes, which are available for all types of diabetes, are constructed keeping all these factors in mind.

There are six groups in the Diabetes Food Pyramid. The largest group consists of beans, grains and starchy vegetables. This group is at the bottom and you must have it in maximum quantity.

You should have least of sweets, fats and alcohol, which are at the peak of the diabetic food pyramid.

You should try and select food from the following list given below. Try and have a slice of bread, ¾ cup dry cereal, 1 cup winter squash, ½ cup cooked cereal, ½ an English muffin or pita bread, ½ cup potato, yam, peas, corn, or cooked beans 1/6 inch tortilla, ¼ of a bagel (1 ounce) and 1/3 cup of rice or pasta.

Vegetables are, as you would expect short in fat and you should try and include them in your meals and may even eat them as snacks.  They are full of minerals, fiber and vitamins.  This group includes chicory; Swiss chard, spinach, cabbage, sorrel, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, kale and lettuce etc. They all have low calories.

Starchy vegetables such as lima beans, corn peas and potatoes are considered starchy and grainy and the recipes are planned accordingly. You must eat at least 3-5 servings in a day.

Fruits like oranges, strawberries, apples, peaches, bananas, grapes and apricots include carbohydrates and you must stick to 2-4 helpings a day. Milk is high in protein and calcium so you should have non-fat or low fat dairy products. Try to have fish, poultry and lean meat and avoid visible fat meat. Have only 4-6 ounces in a day.

In any case you must work out closely with your dietician or doctor before embarking on any diet changes.

Posted in Diets And Diabetes