Having diabetes doesn’t mean you should restrict yourself from eating your favorite food. Yes, you should watch your diet, but there are ways to still enjoy your favorite meals and desserts by replacing them with healthier alternatives.
Below, we will discuss some of the things that you should keep in mind when trying to eat healthy for diabetes management in American Fork.
Eat Healthier Carbs
Not all carbs are a diabetic’s worst enemy. However, you must be careful with the carbs that you eat since it usually affects the blood glucose levels. As a diabetic, you must steer clear of or at least minimize your intake of white rice, white bread, and pasta. However, you can eat healthier versions of these such as whole grains (whole oats, brown rice, and buckwheat), vegetables, fruits, beans, chickpeas, lentils, and unsweetened milk and yogurt.
Limit Your Salt Intake
It’s not only sugary types of food that you should steer clear of. If you have diabetes, then you should also watch your salt intake. Having diabetes will increase your chances of getting a stroke, high blood pressure, and heart diseases, and eating extremely salty food will also increase your chances of getting these diseases as well. If you can, try limiting your salt intake to only one teaspoonful of salt per day. Remember to always check the labels of the food that you eat, as lots of pre-processed food contains lots of salt.
Go for the Healthier Fats
Everybody needs a bit of fat in their diet, as this gives the body the energy that it needs to push through the day. However, not all fats are healthy. If you are a diabetic, then you should watch out for the type of fat that you are putting into your body. Make sure to steer clear of unhealthy fats such as ghee, red and processed meat, butter, lard, biscuits, pastries, and cakes. Instead, you should go for healthier types of fat such as the ones found in avocados, unsalted nuts, oily fish, seeds, rapeseed oil, and olive oil.
Don’t Drink too Much Alcohol
If you can completely steer clear of alcohol, then that would be great. However, if you just love your alcoholic drinks way too much, then at least drink in moderation. Most alcohols are high in calories and sugar. Also, if you regularly take insulin or you have maintenance medications, then never drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Always make sure that you have eaten enough food before consuming alcohol.
Use Sweeteners Instead
If you just cannot live a life full of bland and tasteless food, then you can go for the sweeteners instead. You can use the zero-calories ones including Splenda or Stevia, as these are a lot healthier than processed sugar.
Being smart with what you eat will help you deal with diabetes a lot better. Always choose to go for the healthier types of food rather than going for the unhealthy snacks and meals. Listen to your doctor and get rid of the unhealthy food choices in your life!
