If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor has probably
mentioned that you should pay careful attention to nutrition and
diet as part of your treatment program. Nutrition experts say
that there is no one diet for diabetes, but people with diabetes
should follow the nutrition guidelines in the Food Pyramid, while
paying special attention to carbohydrate intake. People with diabetes
should also eat about the same amount of food at the same time
each day to keep blood sugar levels stable.
Getting Started With Nutrition Treatment
If you've never attempted to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
before your diabetes diagnosis, it can be difficult to know where
to get started. Try these tips from the American Dietetic Association:
Eat more starches such as bread, cereal, and starchy vegetables.
Aim for six servings a day or more. For example, have cold cereal
with nonfat milk or a bagel with a teaspoon of jelly for breakfast.
Another starch-adding strategy is to add cooked black beans, corn
or garbanzo beans to salads or casseroles.
Eat five fruits and vegetables every day. Have a piece of fruit
or two as a snack, or add vegetables to chili, stir-fried dishes
or stews. You can also pack raw vegetables for lunch or snacks.
Eat sugars and sweets in moderation. Include your favorite sweets
in your diet once or twice a week at most. Split a dessert to
satisfy your sweet tooth while reducing the sugar, fat and calories
