Diet & Nutrition

      The primary goal when you are diabetic is to keep your blood glucose
level as close to normal as possible. This may help to alleviate many of the
long-term risks associated with diabetes, such as heart disease, nerve,
kidney and eye damage. Diet plays a significant role in managing
your blood glucose level but many newly diagnosed diabetics are unsure
of where to begin.

      According to the American Diabetes Association, a good nutrition guide
to use is the Diabetes Food Pyramid, which divides the food groups into six
sections. Whole grains, beans, legumes and other high fiber foods are the
largest group. This group comprises the bottom of the pyramid. These are the
foods you should strive to eat more every day. The smallest group,
consisting of fats, sweets, and alcohol, is at the top. These are the foods
that should be consumed less often, and in smaller portion sizes.

        For many people with diabetes, this should consist of breakfast,
lunch, and dinner, and possibly some planned snacks throughout the day.
Consult your health care provider to find out what will work best for you.

        Foods like beans and whole grains like oats, may help control hunger
and lower blood cholesterol levels. Try substituting oats or brown rice for
some of the meat in recipes like meatloaf or meatballs, soup, stew, and
casseroles.

        This will help protect your heart from heart disease. Foods such as
butter, margarine, vegetable oils, and some meat have high fat levels. Try
drinking reduced-fat or skim milk instead of whole milk. Use fat free sour
cream instead of regular, spice it up with some herbs for extra flavor.
Strive for a balance of less saturated and trans fat, and more
monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat.

        Use these for more nutritious snacks instead of candy or cookies.
While fruit and vegetables can be a source of carbohydrate, their benefits
are undeniable.

        Breakfast is an important meal for everyone - especially for people
with diabetes. Try to consume a healthy balanced meal in the morning such as
a hearty bowl of oatmeal, fruit and yogurt. A good breakfast will help get
your day started off right!

        Even a small reduction in weight can have a major impact on reducing
your blood glucose level. Do things in small steps. For example, if you
decide to start eating more fruits and vegetables every day, make sure you
can keep on doing that before deciding on another goal.


        Not all people with diabetes have the same nutritional needs. If you
do not currently see a registered dietitian, you should find one. They can
help you understand the effects different kinds of foods will have on your
body. They can also help you plan the most effective diet for your
particular needs. Look for a registered dietitian in your area by going to:
www.eatright.org. There are also many excellent diabetic cookbooks available
to help plan meals. Consult with your dietitian to see which ones they
recommend.

        It is sometimes not what we eat, but how much we eat that gets us
into trouble. If super-sized portions are a problem for you, drag out the
measuring cups and spoons! They will help bring your portions to an
appropriate size.

        The most important thing to keep in mind when beginning a diabetic
diet is to use common sense. While it isn't a good idea to gorge on cake and
cookies, does that mean you can never eat these foods again? Absolutely not!
But if you do eat them, you must make allowances elsewhere in your diet to
compensate for those extra carbohydrates and calories. If you do splurge
every once in a while, you might also try taking a walk in the evening to
burn off some of those unwanted calories.