Treating Diabetes With Diet
While some diabetics must control their condition with insulin injections, certain individuals with Type II diabetes may be able to treat their diabetes through diet and exercise. Even if you have Type I diabetes and must take insulin, the addition of diet and exercise can help you maintain a healthier lifestyle and reduce negative symptoms of diabetes.
This approach – treating diabetes with diet – is highly recommended for diabetics, since proper diet and exercise are crucial components of any healthy lifestyle. Eating right and getting active has benefits for you in almost every aspect of your life, from cardiovascular benefits to mental benefits to improvements in physical appearance and self esteem. Added to diabetes regulation, the benefits are overwhelming – so go ahead, take the challenge! Your body and mind will thank you.
So, what kinds of foods are best for diabetics to eat?
Here are some helpful guidelines.
- Low-glycemic index (GI) foods are an excellent option for diabetics, because carbohydrates from these foods are released slowly into the bloodstream, reducing the risk of a blood sugar spike. These can dramatically help you regulate your diabetes through diet.
- Most fresh fruits and vegetables are healthy low-GI options, as well as whole grains. It is important to avoid refined sugars and grains, as these high-GI foods can cause blood glucose problems for diabetics.
- Eating a wide variety of foods is important, so be sure to scan several lists of healthy and low-glycemic index foods to give yourself a large selection.
- Alcohol can be problematic for diabetics as well, so be sure to ask your doctor about consuming alcohol before you drink.
- As with any diet, it is also important to focus on consuming healthy fats rather than unhealthy ones. Healthy fats are generally unsaturated fats and tend to come from plants. Unhealthy fats are saturated and tend to come from animals, causing cholesterol levels to rise and clogging arteries when consumed in excess.
Timing is important to consider when attempting to treat your diabetes through diet as well. Having a consistent eating schedule can help you avoid dangerous fluctuations in your blood sugar.
- Don’t skip breakfast; this is a crucial time to refuel your body after a long night of fasting.
- You may find it helpful to eat smaller meals throughout the day rather than three larger main meals.
- Having healthy snacks in between meals can be a great option. Be careful not to increase the number of total calories you’re eating, however. You don’t want your weight to increase; this can further complicate your diabetes risk.
Combine diet with healthy amounts of exercise for the best results in managing your diabetes. This could be as simple as walking around the block, getting a gym membership at your local YMCA, or purchasing a few home workout DVDs to supplement your physical activity. Before starting on any diet or exercise program to manage your diabetes, however, you should consult your doctor, who can help you decide what the best options are for you.
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