Thursday, June 23, 2011

Diabetic Meal Planning - The Basics

Diabetic meal planning can be quite confusing in the beginning. Even among experts there is some disagreement over the optimum diet for diabetics. However, diabetic meals will have a few things in common and they all possess the goal of controlling blood sugar levels. Sticking with a proper diet is vital towards the successful management of diabetes since it can lessen your dependence upon medication and help prevent complications out of your disease.

The main objective of diabetes meal planning would be to keep your blood sugar at a stable level and avoid dips and spikes. There are more benefits as well. Since type 2 diabetes and obesity often go hand-in-hand, a proper diet will also help slow or reverse weight gain and help normalize levels of cholesterol. Eating a healthy diet plan also ensures the body gets all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and help you stay feeling well.

When it comes to diabetic meal planning, there are some important aspects to bear in mind. To begin with, this diet should be well-balanced which means you receive the important nutrients your body needs. It really should not be a drastic change from an ordinary diet, or else you might find it too hard to stay with. You should attempt to select meals plan that provides lots of variety so you do not get tired of your diet plan. It will be also simple to adhere to and be affordable.

Probably the most crucial areas of diabetic meal planning has to do with the frequency of the meals. You need to eat on a set schedule so you don't have long gaps between meals, or eat too often. Eating on the schedule helps maintain your blood sugar from dipping too low during long gaps or spiking after eating too much.

The kinds of foods you eat play a big role in how your blood sugar levels react too. This is when diabetic meal planning gets difficult for many people. Different foods cause different reactions in your blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates, particularly refined carbs such as sugar and foods created using white flour, cause your blood sugar levels to spike after you eat them.

Whole grains, or complex carbs, are metabolized by the body slower by eating those instead, you are able to avoid high blood glucose readings once you eat. In addition to the type of carbs you consume, you must also monitor the quantity you eat each day. This can vary based on every individual based on the extent of the disease and the amount of diabetes medication you take. That's the reason using a blood sugar monitor is essential; it lets you know precisely how your blood sugar levels react to the foods you consume.

Proper diabetic meal planning considers the amount of carbohydrates, fat, and calories you eat every day. A diet that's low in fat and calories can help you cope with accompanying unhealthy weight. The amount of calories you need every day is determined by your age, gender, and activity level. While diabetic meal planning might seem daunting at first, as time passes and exercise, it becomes second nature, and it is worth the effort because it can help you take control of your diabetes and for that reason extend your life.


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