Great Online Tools to Manage Diabetes

A bagel from your local bakery contains about 60 grams of carbohydrates whereas one and half cup of cereal with skim milk has 42 grams of carbs. If you are diabetic you need to keep a tab on the carbohydrate content of your daily meals and snacks. You may have seen your blood sugar levels surge within an hour or two of a meal; it is the quantity and the quality of the carbs consumed that influence the extent to which blood glucose goes up and how long it is likely to stay up. Thus choosing the right carbs is essential to keeping blood sugar level stable in the course of the day.

While carbohydrates are a crucial factor in achieving glycemic control, eating healthy entails controlling calories and lowering your fat and protein intake. With the proper diet you can keep diabetes in check as well as reduce your risk of complications like heart disease that diabetics are likely to develop. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that your carb intake should be up to 55% to 65%, fat should comprise 25% to 30% of your diet and proteins should be about 11% to 18%. With all the carb counting and dietary guidelines planning a meal does seem complicated. So how do you manage this nutritional balance? You can consult a dietitian or certified diabetes educator for a meal plan that fits your food preferences, insulin requirements, and lifestyle. You'll also find the self care tools and resources that I have included here useful in adjusting your diet.

A good starting point is the Diabetes Pyramid founded on the carbohydrate and protein component. The pyramid recommends the number of servings of the different food groups to be included in your daily diet. You will also come to know how much is in a serving; for instance, half a cup of cooked pasta makes a serving and one egg is considered a serving. Besides, you will find tips on making healthy choices within each food group.

You know that carbohydrates impact your blood glucose level, but carbs vary in their effect on your body's glucose and insulin levels. The glycemic index rates carbohydrate containing foods according to the body's glucose response to them. While cakes and cookies score high on the glycemic index, whole-grain foods tend to have a lower GI value hence they are considered good for you. Refer to the Home of the Glycemic Index to find out the GI value of foods in your diet. The index can assist you with picking slow carb meal options that won't cause sharp increase in your blood sugar.

The do's and don'ts make a diabetic diet seem very restrictive but really you can still enjoy a "normal" meal with your family. Take a look at these handy exchange lists from the American Dietetic Association that include meats, fats, dairy, fruits and vegetables that you can partake. Fast foods, entrees combos, free foods that pack less than 20 calories and 5 grams or less of carbs per serving, and desserts are also listed. You can even indulge your sweet tooth as long as you monitor the carbs and adjust your menu so that you don't go over your daily limit. Thus you can have a slice of dessert while cutting back on another comparable food item. It is best to incorporate desserts with your meal; when sweets are eaten with other foods blood sugar doesn't shoot up as fast.

When you eat right you meet your body's nutrient and energy needs. Here's where MyFoodAdvisor can help. This interactive tool makes the task easier by comparing foods by their nutritional value and percentage of carbs. The advisor recommends healthier substitutes and suggests recipes too.

And, just rate your plate to quickly ascertain what items you need to add or curtail so your meal has the proper mix of food groups.