Bite Diabetes before its too late: Eat Healthy!

Diabetes is a chronic illness where the body cannot metabolize glucose properly due to lack of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that moves glucose to the blood cells, resulting in high sugar levels in the blood. Because glucose comes from the foods that one eats, the best way to prevent and manage diabetes is by eating a healthy diet.

A person should consult with a nutritionist to develop an individual diabetes mean plan. “A diabetes meal plan is a guide that tells you how much and what kinds of food you can choose to eat at meals and snack times” (Diabetes). It is also important not to skip meals and to keep a regular meal time schedule. This is especially true when taking diabetes medication.

Your meal plan should: (Manage)

• Spread fruit intake our throughout the day
• Keep sugary foods to a minimum
• Have lover salt and fat intake-since people with diabetes are more likely to have high blood pressure, a leading cause of heath disease
• Include regular meals base on wholegrain varieties of breads, cereals and pastas.
• Include at least five portions of fruits and vegetables every day

Contrary to popular belief, one does not have to cut things out of their diet, avoid certain foods, or eat differently than people who do not have diabetes. “Everyone, whether they have diabetes or not, should eat a healthful diet that consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein foods, and heart-healthy fats” (2008). The key is to eat a balanced diet, meaning not too much of one food, balance it out with other food groups. Eating healthy will not only benefit you by preventing or managing diabetes but has other benefits too. “The right meal plan will help you improve your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol numbers and also help keep your weight on track” (Diabetes). By eating healthy, one could drop the pounds not only to manage their diabetes, but for a positive lifestyle change and to prevent other health problems like obesity and heart disease.

Resources

(n.d.). Diabetes meal plans & a healthy diet. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/food-nutrition-lifestyle/nutrition/meal-planning/diabetes-meal-plans-healthy-diet.jsp.

(n.d.). Managing Diabetes-adjusting lifestyle. Retrieved from http://www.allaboutlifechallenges.org/managing-diabetes.htm.

(2008). 5 common food myths for people with Diabetes debunked. Retrieved from http://www.joslin.org/managing_your_diabetes_4577.asp