Diabetic recipes can be delicious as well as nutritious. Avoid high blood sugar and low blood sugar by following a well-designed meal plan.
The thought of having to convert to eating a diabetic diet can be intimidating, especially to someone who is newly diagnosed with diabetes. After all, what makes a recipe appropriate for a person with diabetes? What’s the best way to meet nutritional needs without compromising taste, convenience, and pleasure? Take heart! You can follow diabetic recipes, eat well, and still avoid the roller coaster pitfalls of low blood sugar and high blood sugar.
Knowledge Goes a Long Way in the Kitchen
Time invested in learning about healthful eating as it relates to your diabetes will leave your taste buds satisfied and assist in keeping blood sugar under control. Take time early on to educate yourself; you’ll be surprised to find that eating a diabetic diet will become second nature rather quickly. You’ll know what foods are best for you when you’re experiencing low blood sugar and also which foods are most likely to result in a high blood sugar count.
You don’t have to be a gourmet cook or even prepare everything from scratch to follow a diabetic diet. Talk to your diabetes educator or nutritionist about dietary recommendations.
Exchange Diets
Foods that are similar in nutritional profile are grouped together in an exchange diet, and portions are such that each serving will have the same amount of carbohydrate, fat, and protein as any other in the same group. Foods can be “exchanged” or traded with others in a category while still meeting your desired nutritional goals. Exchanges can be applied if you’re eating out or trying out new diabetic recipes.
Counting Carbohydrates
Many people with diabetes are encouraged to help manage their disease by tracking the carbohydrates in their diets. Carbohydrates are most quickly turned into sugar for use by the body. Counting carbohydrates can be very helpful when determining insulin dosages.
Feeling Alone?
Some people mistakenly think they will never again be able to enjoy mealtime. The recommendations for healthy eating for a person with diabetes follow the same general guidelines as a well balanced diet for the general population, and can promote better habits for the entire family.
Although the problems associated with low blood sugar and high blood sugar are different, both need to be avoided as much as possible. Read nutrition facts on food labels, find diabetic recipes you like, and get on the road to better health.