Diabetes Food and Exercise: Part 1

I have Type II, non-insulin dependent diabetes. My father and his father both had Type II diabetes. I was first diagnosed about 16 years ago. I knew because of the family history that it was a possibility and I knew about diet and exercise. I did not take it seriously enough.

My attitude changed some years back and the older that I get the more I keep looking for ways to reduce the negative impact of diabetes on my Life.

I power walk three times per walk and walking is a regular part of my routine. I have been overweight for some years now. Various diets helped me shed pounds but they came back on. So I decided to not diet but make some deeper changes into what I eat.

I enjoy food and enjoy cooking so this seemed like an opportunity to combine these two pleasures into a get healthy, get happy and shed some pounds lifestyle.

The recipes that I have published are all a part of this new approach. I do not eat rice very often but still feel that it can play an important role in my food choices.

I have set peanut butter aside because I just like it too much. I make hummus, both from scratch and from a box when I do not have the time. Having foods on hand that you can munch on makes all the difference.

I do not sit down to three big meals a day but break that down into six smaller meals. Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day because if you do not get off to a great start then your day will drag. Coffee, no milk, no sugar in the morning is vital. We drink fair trade coffee that we can from a local church.

Morning Breakfast Smoothie;

Ingredients:

6 ice cubes

2 bananas

A handful blueberries or other seasonal berry

2 tablespoons plain yogurt

Pinch cinnamon

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Pour into glass and enjoy.

I drink very little fruit juice but do have at least two pieces of fruit per day, usually, a banana for the potassium and because they taste great and either an apple, plum or pear.

I eat a wide range of vegetables. One of my favorites is brussel sprouts. I have made meals of brussel spouts and green beans with a fine tomato sauce poured over them.

This is one of the reasons why I make extra sauce. Steam the sprouts and beans put in bowl, heat sauce on pour over vegetables. You can add a bit of shredded mozzarella cheese.

You do not have to limit yourself to a bland diet simply because you are diabetic. There is much that you can eat and enjoy. Over the next while my hubpages well explore the world of delicious dining that you may tuck into without worry. This will include main courses, snacks and of course desserts.

Food is meant to be fun not a punishment or a trial.