If you have diabetes it does not necessarily mean you have to give up your favorite foods. A simple diabetic diet plan can go a long way towards enjoying what you eat and staying healthy at the same time. By eating daily at regular meal times, having a variety of foods, and selecting moderate portion sizes you can keep your diabetes in check.
Eat at Regular Meal Times
One of the first things any diabetic should do is eat meals at regular intervals each day. Eating a late snack or skipping a meal can cause problems. Instead try to plan your meals around times of the day when you can sit down and enjoy your food without being rushed. As a rule of thumb you should eat every 4-6 hours for three meals per day. While this may sound like common sense most people do not follow this pattern. They get in a rush and skip breakfast or feel the afternoon hunger and grab a quick snack. If you eat three full meals at roughly the same time each day you will train your body to expect food at certain times and not at others.
Eat a Variety of Foods
If your diet tends to favor fatty or sugary foods you want to limit those immediately. Diabetics should pay special attention to whole grain foods, fruits, and vegetables. Instead of a donut or pastry for breakfast try cut up fresh fruit. Replace white flour pasta with the whole wheat variety. It has more taste and is much better for you. If you must snack try cutting up some apples or celery sticks and keep them handy in a plastic bag. If you eat a healthy variety of food you can usually have some of your favorites in moderation along with more healthy choices too.
Eat in Moderate Portions
Today’s standard plate holds twice as much food as doctor’s recommend that you eat. We often think we are getting a good deal because restaurants give us huge portions of food. The fact is most people eat several serving sizes without knowing it. When you prepare food pay attention to the suggested portion size listed on the box. Use a measuring cup or spoons to get into the habit of eating the correct amounts. You will be surprised at how much you are probably overeating. And remember if you cut back to correct portion sizes you can have more of the things you like.
Diabetes is a serious condition so of course consult your physician in regards to your diet. If you eat daily at regular intervals, have a selection of foods, and partake in smaller portion sizes you can go a long way towards eating the foods you love and being healthy at the same time.
What foods should diabetics avoid? Find out with our free diet for diabetics guide. All of our free articles on diabetic food choices can be found at http://www.dietfordiabetics.net.
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