Diabetic Diet
If you are one of the many people who are affected by any kind of diabetes, you know that you cannot eat just like a normal person does and stay healthy. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy great food like everyone else, though!
It is important to consult a doctor or a nutritionist to help you plan out your diet, especially if you have diabetes. There is no “One size fits all” solution, so there is no way you can just read an article and get all the information you need to construct a diet. When you go to a doctor or a nutritionist, they will make you a whole diet, based on your weight, insulin intake, and other requirements. It will be broken down into calories, carbohydrates, protein and fat. This breakdown is called your macros.
Now, there are two main schools of thought about the optimal diet for a person with diabetes. Some say that you should have a diet of about 75% carbohydrates, where others believe that a lower carbohydrate diet, like 40%, will yield better results. The jury is still out on this issue, and no definitive answer has been given. Ask your doctor about what style of diet they recommend.
The other components of the diet are not as important as carbohydrate intake. They still make a difference, but carbohydrates are the main thing that should be taken care of on a diabetic diet.
Eating the right types of foods when you have diabetes is also important. Just because it fits into your macros, that does not mean that it will not effect you. For example, if one of your meals is around 300 calories, and you need 50g of carbohydrates in it (this is just an example), what do you think would be better; A large sweet potato, or a bunch of ice cream. Both may fit into the requirements of your diet, but generally speaking, it would be healthier and make you feel better if you chose the healthier option. But remember, this is not just for the diabetic diet, this pretty much applies to anyone’s diet. If you want to feel good and stay healthy, eat good food.
It is important to also plan the timing of your meals. Now, there are many different theories to how long before or after an insulin shot you should have your meals. This also depends on what kind of insulin your doctor gives you and what the dosage is. Because of this, it is usually a good idea to talk to your doctor about your meal timing. Not only will he or she know about you personally, but they will know what intervals work best with the medicine they have given you.
If you are diabetic, you can still eat great foods. You just have to plan things out a little more. If you visit your doctor, and follow the meal plan that they give you, you will be able to live a long, happy and healthy life.
