Diabetic Diet Foods - Suitable For Diabetes

About fifteen or twenty years ago, during the “dark ages” of diabetic care, diabetics were restricted to certain foods and told to avoid other foods altogether. Hospitalized diabetics were ordered to follow diets with strict rules such as “no concentrated sweets.” Diabetics gave up candy and desserts entirely and were only afforded the occasional sugar-free lollipop. The diet changes required to control diabetes could be very stressful in themselves.

Luckily, diabetes care has changed drastically in the last few years. It has been recognized that diabetics can continue to eat a variety of foods, as long as they control the portions and keep their blood sugar levels under control. If, after having been diagnosed with diabetes, you had recurring nightmares about never eating pumpkin pie again, you can forget about it! Eating everything is possible, but moderation and control are the keys to maintaining good health and avoiding diabetes-related complications.

So basically, the foods recommended for a diabetic diet are the same foods recommended to the general population. Nutrition research has shown that a healthy diet consists of several servings of fruits and vegetables per day, whole-grain bread products, lean meats or meat substitutes such as beans, and low-fat dairy products.

People who eat according to this general diet tend to have lower rates of heart disease and many types of cancer. They also have an easier time maintaining a healthy body weight. Diabetics might even have a greater opportunity to improve their overall diets since their condition requires them to pay closer attention to what is eaten throughout the day. This can be a good opportunity to take advantage of!

For a diabetic, the trick is balance. Whereas a non-diabetic could eat a breakfast composed entirely of breads, a lunch of fruits and vegetables, a dinner of lean meats and low-fat dairy, and come out pretty balanced at the end of the day, this is not possible for a diabetic. Eating many carbohydrates within a short time period or going several hours without any carbohydrates can cause dangerous shifts in blood sugar levels. These blood sugar extremes are called hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Choosing foods for your diabetic diet is not difficult in this age of advanced care for diabetics. Wise choices will not only help you control your blood sugar, but lower your risk of heart disease and some types of cancer as well. Take this opportunity to establish healthy eating patterns that will benefit you for life. Maximize your diet to maximize your overall health!

Next article: Diabetic Diet Programs - Diabetes Programs