Diabetes TreatmentWhen you are first diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor will tell you to make changes in your diet. You should keep in mind that much research has been done on nutrition and diabetes. The rigid "no sugar" approach to diabetic diets is a thing of the past. You do not need any special food. In fact, diabetics can consume most any food. The key is in portion size, and tracking your carbohydrate intake.
Balance Insulin with Diet and Exercise
To keep your blood glucose levels in a normal range, you need to balance your food intake and activity level with your insulin. Having your blood glucose in a healthy range will make you feel better, and it also lowers your chances of diabetic complications. Your blood glucose monitor is the tool which allows you to balance your eating, activity and insulin.
It is important to keep in mind that your body needs to adjust to your diet. You should eat about the same amount of food--at the same time of day--as often as possible. You should never skip meals or snacks, even if your readings are in a normal range. Skipping meals can throw your entire system out of balance and lead to low blood glucose levels.
Proper diabetic treatment includes eating a variety of foods. General guidelines for diabetics are to consume three servings of vegetables a day. You should also have six servings of beans, grains and starchy vegetables. Fruits and milk products should make up two servings in your diet. Of course, these servings can fluctuate by individual, depending on size, age and activity level. By talking with your doctor or nutritionist, you will come to see your diet will not be as restrictive as the diabetic diet of your grandparents.
