Diabetic Diet Considerations - A Healthy Diet

A look at why following a diabetic diet does not have to be life changing and also how markedly similar a diabetic diet is to a regular healthy diet.

Whilst it may not sound obvious a diabetic diet does not have to be particularly restrictive in regards to the foods a diabetic may eat. It is instead how a diabetic plans and balances the various elements of their diet, by eating well balanced meals and taking into account the need to eat from all the food groups. It is important however that a diabetic diet pays close attention to portion sizes as this can have a remarkable effect upon blood sugar levels. Essentially any diabetic diet should carefully balance carbohydrate, fat, sugar and protein so that blood sugar levels are consistent throughout the day.

As a result whilst a diabetic diet may require a little extra care than a normal diet, essentially a healthy diet that touches on all of the food groups is suitable for a diabetic, although the opinion of a medical professional should always be sought. There are however 6 key principles of following a diabetic diet.

The first principle is to ensure that you eat at regular intervals. This is particularly the case when eating carbohydrates as they release their energy slowly. Subsequently, ensuring that meals are eaten regularly should help to maintain a consistent blood sugar level.

The second principle is to cut down on foods that are high in sugar. Sugary foods are digested faster and as such can cause spikes in the blood sugar level. Normally the body would produce insulin to cope with higher blood sugar levels but in a diabetic this doesn’t happen, subsequently restricting the amount of sugary foods is advisable.

Diabetics should also make a special attempt to reduce that amount of fat in the diet. Not only does fat contain high numbers of calories but a high fat diet can increase the risks of heart disease. Reducing fat in a diet or swapping hard fats for good fats is a diet tip for anyone trying to follow a healthy diet.

As we have been told again and again eating enough fruit and vegetables is an important element within a healthy diet. As such it is also advice that should be followed by diabetics, as long as it does not cause a blood sugar level imbalance.

Reducing salt is another important element of a healthy or diabetic diet as too much can lead to heart disease and higher blood pressure. This is certainly a consideration for type 2 diabetics who should try and stick to their recommended daily allowance.

Finally as a diabetic and for anyone following a healthy diet, moderating alcohol intake is advisable. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can cause dramatic changes to blood sugar levels, increasing the chances of a hypoglycaemic reaction, especially when drinking on an empty stomach.

As a diabetic it is vitally important to speak to a dietician about your condition and how this could affect your diet. In most instances newly diagnosed diabetics will have access to dieticians at their clinic where advice and guidance can be sought. Essentially a dietician will be able to help formulate a personalised daily calorie intake and also be able to assist if any problems arise.

As a diabetic, diet does not have to be an overriding factor in life, it is possible to live a very full and healthy life as a diabetic as long as a conscious effort is made to eat a healthy diet that avoids too many sugary foods and includes regular meals. As always with questions regarding dietary advice, the opinion of a qualified professional should be sought.