What's The Best Diet For A Diabetic Patient?

By Karl Graus

Diabetes is a disease that raises the glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream to higher than normal levels. Diabetes can be caused by a person's body being resistant to insulin (a hormone responsible for metabolizing glucose), or if a person's pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to sustain bodily functions. Whatever the reason, it is essential to keep control over your blood sugar levels; failure to do so could create serious health issues, including ending up in a diabetic coma. There has been some disagreement in the past about what constitutes the best diet for diabetics.

For years, the prevailing wisdom was that diabetics should strictly avoid foods high in sugar and other carbohydrates. Because sugar is very easily and quickly turned into glucose in the bloodstream, it was usually thought to be the more harmful thing for the body. Diabetic diets incorporated a variety of artificial sweeteners instead of actual sugar to cope with this problem.

And doctors are now more accepting of the fact that most diabetics will come into contact with sugar and other carbs, no matter how carefully they try to monitor their diets. There are some brands of artificial sweeteners that don't add any calories or carbohydrates to food, but it's important to remember that just because a food is sugar-free doesn't guarantee it is safe for diabetics.

Ultimately, the diet for diabetics that should be followed is identical to a healthy diet for anyone. This way, those with diabetes don't need to limit themselves so severely. The thing to remember is that a diabetic's daily carbohydrate consumption should be diligently monitored. Carbohydrates consist of both sugars and starches, so foods like pasta and potatoes need to be limited just as much as sweet, sugary foods.

The best decision is to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to one's diet. Vegetables and fruits do contain natural sugars, though these differ from glucose. Because of this, they don't affect the sugar levels in the bloodstream. In addition, they contain more fiber, which helps the body to eliminate waste better and make the person feel full so that fewer calories are consumed.

You don't have to make one meal for the diabetic and another meal for the remaining family members. As we said, the most effective diet for diabetics is the exact same foods that your whole family should be eating anyhow. All diets should be balanced, rich in fruits and vegetables, and nclude protein and a moderate amount of starches, and very little fat. - 30249

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here