The Diet for Diabetes is straightforward yet you need to know how to control the carbohydrates. How do you know what foods to eat? Maybe you like rice or pasta or grits or other carb foods that need insulin to process these foods.
How much of the carbohydrate or carb (CHO) foods can I eat? Well that depends if you would need to lose weight, gain weight or maintain your weight.
I think the most prudent way to eat foods you really enjoy and at the same time not putting too much strain on the pancreas to spit out insulin, is to eat in moderation. Type 2 Diabetes Diet or Diabetes 2 diet is basically the diet I am referring to.
What I mean by moderation is using the Visual Plate Technique. This is one way of calculating your intake, as well as how much carbs or carb foods you include with your meal.
So what does the Visual Plate Technique mean. For a Type 2 Diabetes Diet means that you look at your plate with your foodstuff in it. If all you see is rice, or grits or sweet foods as the greater piece of your plate, then you are way off base. Diabetes 2 diet contain a green leafy vegetable or salad, Protein foodstuff (eggs , meat, fish, cheese) and a smaller portion of carbohydrate vegetables or rice, pasta or whatever other carbs.
Since I work as a visiting nurse, I try to explain to the patients that you don’t have to go to extremes. Diets for Diabetes doesn’t matter what culture and foods you like and that tastes great. It matters that you somewhat control your carbohydrate vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, peas, potatoes) and your CHO foods (rice, pasta, and other carb foods) with each meal. Diet for Diabetes means more control over the CHO you eat.
If you make your mind up you and want peas and carrots, then eat very small amount rice or pasta. If you eat green leafy vegetables, then you can eat extra rice or pasta.
With Type 2 Diabetes Diet, protein foods do not raise your blood sugar, so you can add extra fish, eggs, meat, etc with your meals. As long as your cholesterol isn’t too high (eggs and meats) and you are not a Kidney patient, there should be no reason why you can’t eat extra protein foods. Protein foods in the diet for diabetes is that the protein contains its own natural fat which actually helps curb your appetite.
Whenever you eat a meal or snack, it should always include a small amount of protein that has its natural fat. The protein provides its own natural fat and tends to keep your blood sugar stable so it doesn’t spike and then drop immediately. That can happen if one has a piece of fruit and no protein with it. Also, eating just a piece of fruit can make you hungrier. That’s where the protein helps to curb the appetite.
I also tell my patients not to drink any juice unless your blood sugar is low. It is better to eat the fruit than drink the juice.
As always, you should get to consult with your doctor before changing your present diet.