I have a friend that recently lost someone very close to her. He was a diabetic who died at age 44. His death could have been avoided, but like some people who are suffering from diabetes do, he did not adjust his diet in a way that would help him to continue to live a healthy life. He thought he could keep eating the way he always had and then make up for his poor habits wit insulin injections.
Eating a good, balanced diet is not difficult for diabetics. It doesn’t require purchasing specials foods. Diabetics must simply develop a routine of eating healthy meals three times a day at set times. This will help to regulate blood sugar and keep the glucose in the blood within the appropriate target range. For diabetics this can mean the difference between living a normal healthy life and facing the threat of amputation, dire illness, and diabetic coma.
For diabetics, what they eat and when they eat it are equally important. The size of the meals they eat is also crucial. The content, size, and frequency of the meals even impact the effectiveness of the medicines the diabetic takes. They also have a direct effect on the body’s insulin production. Eating an unhealthy diet, meals that are too large or too small, or having meals at irregular hours, can lead to unhealthy spikes and precipitous drops in blood sugar levels. This is dangerous for diabetics and can lead to dangerous and painful health problems.
Diabetics need a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and starches including beans, lentils, peas, and whole grains. This should be supplemented with small amounts of lean meats like fish and poultry. Adding some low-fat dairy products also helps. This helps the diabetic to maintain a healthy weight and avoid diabetic complications. These foods contain the fiber the body needs to moderate digestions, absorption, and the conversion of food into sugar. This type of diet also improves their overall health and vitality.
Diabetics who eat a balanced, nutritious diet at regularized times find themselves feeling good every day. Their wise food choices also help them maintain a healthy weight, and lower their risk for stroke, heart disease, and a host of other health problems. Diabetics should also check their blood glucose levels regularly and take an A1C test a few times a year. When this is combined with regular exercise it can allow diabetics to live a normal life. But making wise food choices and following a schedule for eating meals and snacks are crucial.
Diabetics must only consume desserts in small amounts. They should also limit alcohol intake. Alcohol can make blood sugar levels plummet and blood fats rise to unhealthy levels. For diabetics, it’s essential to drink at least one 8 ounce cup of water every waking hour. If they cannot get a full meal, they must drink juice or eat soup, popsicles, or crackers. On bad days when they have problems keeping down food, diabetics must drink ginger ale or something which contains sugar to prevent low blood glucose or hypoglycemia.