Diabetic Menu
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Diabetic Menu
How One Woman Eats With Diabetes
"How did you lose your weight? That's a question this woman hears a lot these days. She has lost 60 pounds and her truthful answer is always: diet and excercise. But her response lacks one thing. And this might be the most important factor she had: motivation.
Until her blood test in December 2005 she didn't know she had diabetes. And from that day forward she changed her life so her body would be much healthier. As we all know, food and diabetes are so entwined. There isn't another chronic ailment that can be controlled and managed with what you eat, or don't eat. Off course there are medication supplements in tablet and injection forms, but the most important role lies with food.
When she started her diet, she experienced the same food cravings and hunger pangs from the diet as everyone else who changes their eating patterns. The challenge and temptation she endured was just as big as for the next dieter, but she never explained that her motivation came from here diabetes. She wasn't ill and she wanted to give credit to the 1800 calorie diet and exercise pattern she followed. She didn't set a goal, but let her body find it's own ways.
She got help from the Saint Francis Diabetes Care Center's director and certified instructor Julie Burns and the registered dietitian Rich Packard to understand how to manage her condition with a diet and a diabetic menu plan. After hearing that insulin wasn't necessary, her second relief came when she heard that there wasn't anything she couldn't eat. She just had to monitor the times and what she ate. She went the carb choice approach, with also keeping an eye on calories and fat per serving. For her it was the easiest diet to follow. She had her meals and snacks at a set time each day, and although every food group was allowed, she opted to eat larger amounts of vegetables and fresh fruits. Sugar substitutes didn't find their way to her pantry as she experienced an adverse reaction to them.
Diabetic Menu
- Diabetic Menu Planning updated Wed Feb 11 2009 2:49 pm CST
When you are first diagnosed with diabetes, it will come like a real shock to you. But it's no more than a matter of control. The condition can be controlled with a proper diabetic menu and exercise combined with medicine your physician will give you. You will have partially the control over your disease through the food you eat and the exercise you do. When you combine these two factors you will control your weight, reduce the stress in your life, lower your blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides. Taking your medication as indicated, testing your glucose and keeping an open communication with your physician is the other vital part. It's not hard to take control, but you must educate yourself and you need to have discipline. Whether you are diabetic or not, exercise should be a part of anyone's routine. Before you can start any exercise you want to do, you should take a routine consult with your doctor. It is important that you learn the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar. Any physical activity should be increased slowly, one step at a time. It will take time before your body adjusts to new activities that you introduce. You can set goals for yourself, it will help you stay focused. It doesn't take more than 30 minutes a day, 5 to 7 days a week. You don't need to be doing complicated exercises, keep it simple: take a walk, join a swim class, or play actively with your children. Just do in on a daily basis and alter your activity level goals every now and then. You may think that your diet is the hardest part to control. Nobody likes to be told what they can and can't eat. Luckily for you, you are probably eating many of the foods you should be eating and you probably already know of the foods you should not be having. It is recommended to eat often. It's better to have three or fours smaller meals instead of two larger ones. You can have healthy snacks in between. Spread your calories and carbohydrates during the day, this will help you to control your blood sugar. It's not hard to choose the right food, there are so many choices these days. Even if you have a sweet-tooth, you can have sugar-free alternatives which you can eat in moderation. In most of the cases they are as tasty as their counterparts. You can have fruits and vegetables, fresh and frozen. Have smart snacks: crispy pita bread or pretzels instead of chips, try baked instead of fried. You might find that the healthy alternatives are often extremely tasty. Foods that are rich in fider and good carbohydrates should be included in your daily menu: whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruit. You should also implement protein such as lean meat, fish, poultry, nuts and cheese. Try to limit saturated fat and trans fat and replace with vegetable and fish oil. Use broth instead of fat, broil instead of frying and remove any excess fat in meals. You should reduce the size of carbohydrates you use. More fruits and vegetables and less flour based products such as white bread, pasta and rice is recommended. You can use alternatives: whole wheat bread, brown rice and wheat pasta. A healthy variety of foods is the best way to maintain optimal health and provide you with the essential nutrients your body needs. Take control of your diabetes, so it doesn't take control over you. When you eat healthy you can help lower your blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides. Planning the right diabetic menu is a task, but it will help you on your way to have a healthier life. - 5 months ago
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