By Larry Donaldson

Diabetes is a serious disease that can be traced back to problems with the body’s ability to produce or use insulin properly. Specifically, people with Type 1 diabetes are not able to produce insulin, while people with Type 2 diabetes are unable to properly use their own insulin. If untreated, the disease results in the person having high blood sugar levels that are unhealthy.

In addition to controlling the disease through insulin injections (as needed), diabetics also need to strive to use their diet to maintain as near to normal blood sugar levels as possible. Other important factors for health in a diabetic are keeping blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels, as well.

If you are looking for a diabetic diet sample, here are 5 ways to control your blood sugar:

1. Go light on the alcohol:

Make sure to go very light in terms of your consumption of alcohol. The reason for this is that it is processed within the body in a way very similar to how fat is processed. It contains almost as many calories as does fat. Be sure to avoid drinking at times when your blood sugar level is normal.

2. Have a colorful plate:

Having a color plate, of course, refers to eating a wide variety of foods. This means fruits, vegetables, meats and other forms of protein such nuts, fish or fish oils, dairy products and whole grains.

3. Eat high-fiber foods:

Fiber is a strong ally of diabetics. Make sure that your daily diet includes high-fiber foods like whole grain breads, cereal, fruits, oats, barley, psyllium, and beans. You should aim for about 30 grams of fiber each day. Especially if you have Type 2 diabetes, a high-in-fiber diet can improve your blood sugar and your cholesterol levels.

4. Go light on the sugary foods:

Both sugar and its cousin, carbohydrates, in excess are not conducive to a smart diet when you have diabetes. And, if you do eat something sugary like a piece of cake, make sure that you then avoid (or substitute) eating something else from the carbohydrate category that would have eaten. In other words, sugars and carbohydrates should be substituted for each other when you are planning your daily diet, and both count toward your daily carbohydrate budget. Also, be sure to adjust your insulin dosage if you have eaten extra carbohydrates that day.

5. Try the TLC diet:

Diabetics who also have abnormally-high cholesterol levels should get to know the TLC diet. It was designed to reduce your consumption of nutrients that raise cholesterol levels. To follow this diet:

* maintain your fat consumption at 25-35% of your total daily calories

* eat few or no saturated fats

* polyunsaturated fats (such as liquid vegetable oils) should make up about 10% of your total daily calories consumed

* monounsaturated fats, such as those found in veggies like plant oils and nuts, should make up 20% of your total caloric intake

* carbohydrates should make up about 50% of your daily calories

* consume about 30 grams of fiber each day (see above)

* protein should make up about 15-20% of your total daily calories

* take in less than 200 milligrams of cholesterol each day

Consider this diabetic diet sample as 5 ways to control your blood sugar and remain healthy.

About the Author: Losing weight will also help you control your diabetes. Get access to an amazing fat-burning program that gets results:

The Diet Solution Program

.

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=607608&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet