Diabetes Diet

By Denise Adams, FreeDietReviews.com

In order to achieve a total health target it is essential that the diet intake should be according to a specific plan prepared by a nutritionist, which in the case of a diabetic person, is known as a "diabetes diet". Whereas this "diabetes diet" is absolutely essential for people with diabetes, it is recommended that others should also follow this plan for maintaining good health.

The basic idea behind the diabetes diet is that each of the “macronutrients” (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) should be present in certain recommended ratios in the daily diet so that the daily intake of calories is distributed as follows: proteins should contribute twenty percent whereas fats should not go beyond thirty percent and carbohydrates should account for the balance fifty to sixty percent. It is necessary for diabetic patients to consume a constant amount of carbohydrates so that the glucose released into the blood should be consistent.

The diabetes diet is the ideal recipe for a balanced nutrition and it is good for both persons with diabetes and for others. It ensures that all the calories and nutrients needed by the diabetic in order to maintain near normal level of blood sugar are provided by it. The ideal constituents of the diabetes diet should be fruits, vegetables, whole grains and bare minimum amounts of fats and sugars.

Sweets, candies and other desserts raise the blood sugar level very quickly which is exactly what should not happen in the case of a diabetic. On the other hand, blood sugar levels of a diabetic should remain at a steady level and as such sugars should be avoided. In order to satisfy their taste buds they can consume diabetic versions of desserts made with sweeteners but those too in moderation.

Diabetics should not skip meals and they should have six small meals instead of three square meals a day. There can be detrimental wild fluctuation of blood sugar levels if only two big meals are taken in a day or if meals are skipped entirely.

A diabetes diet plan must be prepared by a nutritionist and it must be followed strictly along with the right amount of physical exercise in order to achieve optimum amount of weight and to control blood cholesterol. A diabetes diet plan must keep saturated fats to the minimum and unsaturated or monounsaturated fats in the right level. Moreover, planning a diabetes diet plan must take the help of exchange lists.

It is absolutely essential for diabetics to adhere strictly to the diabetic diet and meal planning and eat the optimum amount of food at the appropriate time. In order to help the diabetics to make their meal plans, the American Diabetes Association or American Diabetic Association has formulated 6 exchange food lists and in the list are starch (bread), meat, vegetables, fruits, milk (dairy) and fat. You can choose the foods within a group from the food exchange list. Since there are two types of diabetes, the diet and meal plan has to be different also. Timely meals and proper meal plans are absolutely essential for insulin-dependent diabetes and diabetes diet plans for non-insulin dependent diabetics should be well-balanced and should aim at controlling the weight.

The following foods should be included in diabetes diet plan for diabetics as they have insulin-like properties: Garlic, raw and green vegetables, wheat germ, tofu or soybean, Brussels sprouts, fresh flaxseed oil and GLA oils as available in evening primrose and spirulina. The effect of different food groups on one’s health should be properly understood by every diabetic. If the diet plan is appropriate and if proper knowledge, awareness and education are acquired by a diabetic, they will go a long way in improving health and achieving the health targets.