The meal plan diet for type 2 diabetes is helpful in reducing complications of type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes need to eat balanced and healthy food, for that they should follow a meal plan. A meal plan for type 2 diabetes includes healthy food in right amounts and at fixed times.
Balanced diet is good for everyone but especially it is very important for type 2 diabetics because they have more body fats. When you eat too much it means more calories are stored by the body in the form fat cells resulting in obesity and diabetes related complications. So restricting calories and eating healthy food helps to lose your weight and also it solves the type 2 diabetes problem. But how can one choose healthy food?
There are three basic nutrients in food, carbohydrates, fats and proteins. But foods which are rich in carbohydrates affect more on blood glucose levels. The proteins and fats containing foods do not affect blood sugar levels as much as foods with carbohydrates, but excessive amount of these foods causes weight gain. In meal planning you have to consider all these things.
Meal plan diet for type 2 diabetes involves balancing food intake with the body’s insulin. This meal plan is also helpful for reducing cholesterol, blood pressure and excessive weight. As carbohydrates have the most immediate effect on the blood glucose, it is very important to control carbohydrate intake in type 2 diabetes meal plan. Carbohydrate counting is effective and simple method of meal planning. In this method you have to keep track of daily carbohydrate intake. You have to take balanced amount of carbohydrates in your meal because more carbohydrates raises blood glucose and little amount of carbohydrates results in very low blood glucose levels.
In meal plan diet for type 2 diabetes you should include fiber-rich foods. Fiber-rich foods are helpful for diabetes as well as it lowers the risks of heart diseases, obesity and hypertension. Fiber is a good source of vitamins and minerals. To increase fiber intake you have to include fiber-rich foods in your meal like brown rice, whole grain breads, crackers, cereals, bran products, cooked dried beans, peas and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Fatty foods like beef, milk, baked items and cheese are not good for diabetic patient. To reduce fat you have to limit calorie intake. For that always select lean meats, low-fat dairy products, all fruits and vegetables. While preparing lean meats like poultry, fish, skinless chicken, remember that don’t fry them instead of that you can grill, broil or roast them. Nonfat yogurt, skim milk, and low-fat cheese these are all low-fat dairy products and are good for diabetes diet.
Type 2 diabetes increases risk of high blood pressure. Hence in type 2 meal plan you should be careful about sodium rich foods. You have to limit high sodium foods like ketchup, salt, canned meats, pickled foods, olives, salty snack foods, soy sauces, rice, potatoes etc. While preparing foods for diabetics use herbs and spices in food without salt.
All these tips are helpful for planning your type 2 diabetes meal plan but before following any diet plan always take the advice of your doctor.