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Archive for the ‘Diabetic Diets’ Category

On all packaged food that you buy, there is a food label that includes important information to a diabetic.  You need to learn how to read them properly and know what the different numbers and percentages mean to you and your diabetic diet.  Below is an overview of the basic information you need to know about food labels.

Whether you are counting carbohydrates, are following the exchange diet, or you are on the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet you can increase your chances for success by reading your food labels and understanding what they mean.

The ingredient list is a good place to start before looking at the numbers in the food label.  Where is sugar on the ingredient list?  The closer it is to the beginning of the list the more of it is present in the food.  That goes the same for all ingredients; manufacturers list the ingredients in order of the amount that is in the product.  If there are things in your food that do not work well for your blood sugar on the list it should be avoided or eaten in moderation.

Look at the serving size and compare that to the number of carbohydrates is in a serving.  Most servings of carbohydrates for a diabetic are 15 grams.  If one serving is higher than 15 grams you will have to eat less than the suggested serving size to stay on track with your meal plan.

Sugar-free foods may grab your attention as something safe and yummy to add to your shopping cart.  But look at the carbohydrate count first.  Most foods that are made sugar-free using artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes have higher carbohydrate counts.

Check the fat content too, look for a low percent of your daily intake and ideally it will be monounsaturated as opposed to polyunsaturated or saturated fats.

The exchange diet is one that allows you to pick and choose the foods you eat from each of the six food groups based on portion sizes.  When you begin eating with this diet, it may seem like a lot of work but as you get used to the portions sizes and the common substitutions that you make it will get easier.

One of the benefits of the exchange diet it the flexibility you have in your meal planning.  As long as you are eating the correct number of exchanges from each food group you will maintain better control of your blood glucose levels.

If you get bored quite easily by eating the same food day in and day out, the exchange diet might be for you.  There are endless possibilities to combine different foods together at meal times.  You can have broccoli for dinner three nights in a row but make it a completely different meal each time.  One night you can have one small potato, ½ cup of steamed broccoli and a one ounce pork chop; the second night have ½ cup of cooked pasta tossed with ½ cup of broccoli and one ounce of cooked chicken; and the third night try 1/3 cup of rice mixed with ½ cup of broccoli and one ounce of lean ground beef.

The exchange diet also takes the guess work out of meal planning for diabetics.  It is laid out in a very straight forward and easy to understand manner.  If there are foods that you cannot find on the exchange list given to you by your dietician, call and find out which group it belongs too and what a proper portion size is.

At first you should weigh and measure your foods to ensure you are using the proper amounts but as time passes you will be able to do this by sight.

Birthday parties, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more are holidays and special occasions that are centered on food.  For most people these are times to anticipate the celebration and the eating.  For a diabetic it can be a stressful time, you want to partake in all of the good food too but most times it is not made with a diabetic in mind.  If the frequency of these events is not too often, you can adjust your diet for special occasions so you too can have some of the treats available.

The hardest part about preparing for a special occasion is if you do not know what is going to be served.  If this is the case, a quick call to your host or hostess can be made.  Most people will not mind you asking especially if you have dietary needs that need to be taken into consideration.  Once you do know what is being served, plan your meals for that day accordingly.  You may want to have fewer carbohydrates with your breakfast and snack to make up for the extra ones you will have at a birthday party where pizza is
being served.

Another option for special occasions is to offer to bring a dish for everyone to share.  Make it something that you enjoy as a treat but still follows the guidelines for your diabetic diet.

For family favorites and traditions, be creative and look for ways to make the same dishes with less fat or sugar.  You can do this by substituting regular sugar for sugar substitutes or choose whole wheat flour instead of white for the extra fiber content.

During the holidays and other occasions, closely monitor your blood sugars.  Even with extra care, the change in your diet can still result in a blood sugar that is too high or low.