Choosing The Best Diabetic Diet
The disease of diabetes is characterized by having excessive amounts of sugar, or glucose, in one’s blood. Glucose levels can rise when the body is resistant to insulin, the hormone that helps cells metabolize glucose into energy, or when the pancreas fails to make enough insulin to support the body’s needs. Whatever the reason, it is essential to keep control over your blood sugar levels; failure to do so could create serious health issues, including ending up in a diabetic coma. There has been some disagreement in the past about what constitutes the best diet for diabetics.
For years, the prevailing wisdom was that diabetics should strictly avoid foods high in sugar and other carbohydrates. Sugar was regarded as the worst offender as it is more easily turned into glucose, which means it reaches the bloodstream more quickly than other carbohydrates. As a result, diabetics have relied on products with artificial sweeteners that eliminate the need for sugar in foods.
Today, doctors accept the fact that diabetics are going to be exposed to sugar and other carbohydrates no matter how carefully they try to avoid them. While it is true that there are artificial sweeteners out there that have zero calories and no carbohydrates, that does not mean that diabetics can safely use them.
Basically, a diet for diabetics benefits the most from a more relaxed approach to sugar and carboydrate regulation. Believe it or not, diabetics CAN continue to enjoy their favorite foods. The thing to remember is that a diabetic’s daily carbohydrate consumption should be diligently monitored. You have to look out for potatoes and pasta as much as sugary, sweet foods, as carbohydrates have sugars and starches in them as well.
A diabetic’s diet should also work to incorporate an increased number of vegetables and fruits. The natural sugars contained in these foods are different from glucose; therefore, the body can use them without danger of elevating the blood’s glucose level. Also, they have more fiber, which is not only instrumental in helping the body get rid of waste, it also makes you feel full, which leads to lower calorie consumption.
You don’t have to make one meal for the diabetic and another meal for the remaining family members. Basically, a diet for diabetics doesn’t have to be different than anyone else’s in their family, as long as they are careful. This includes many vegetables and fruits, and a balanced intake of starches and proteins, as well as the occasional fat.
Karl loves to write about subjects like diabetic and diet for gestational diabetes on his site.
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