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By: April Kerr

The basic goal of a diabetic is to live as normal as possible by staying out of complications, and so proper diet must be followed. There are nutrition guidelines for the Diabetics Food Pyramid and patients must aim to keep blood sugar levels stable while ensuring that the body still receives the proper nutrients to keep going.

A Diabetic's balanced meal plan must comprise of the following ratio, as recommended by the American Diabetes and Dietetic Association: Protein providing 10% to 20%, Fat providing no more than 30%, and Carbohydrates supplying up to 60% total calories. The large part of a diabetic's plate must consist of starch such as bread, cereal, rice, and starchy vegetables. Six or more servings a day is required to make sure the diabetic receives the right amount from this food group. Fruits and vegetables, as always, are the stomach's best friends. For diabetics, overeating of fruits is still not advisable as some fruits contain too much glucose so a small piece or two of fruits like orange, apple, pineapple, strawberry, banana, and pears for the whole day is fine. Most vegetables and some seeds are good for people with diabetes. They help to slow down or reduce the absorption of glucose from the intestines. Soluble fibers found in legumes also have positive effect on blood sugar levels. For milk and other dairy products, non-fat or low-fat selections must be preferred as they can provide the needed vitamins and minerals without putting the patient to the risk of heart attacks.

It is a common knowledge for diabetics that sugary foods as well as fatty foods can harm their health but complete or total denial of these foods is actually too much. Dietitians agree that they can satisfy their sweet tooth every once in a while like a piece of chocolate or small cookies on top of nutritious foods consumed for the whole week so it best to save the ice creams and cakes during occasions. Diabetics are also asked to limit their fat intake because they are at higher risk for heart problems. They need to watch cholesterol by choosing smaller portions of lean meats, poultry, and fish. They are also advised not to engage in high-protein diets such as Atkins. When it comes to alcohol, small amounts can be included into a meal plan if the blood sugar is under good control but drinking alcohol in an empty stomach can cause low blood sugar.

Ideally, patients should visit a professional dietitian to have an individualized diet plan within the general guidelines that takes into consideration their own health needs. There is no single best diet recommended for all diabetics. Even if all diabetics are under Type 2, some may be in danger of kidney disease while others are suffering from high blood pressures. Additionally, some researchers concluded that the positive benefits of certain diabetic diets were derived not from the specific regimens but because the patient who participated in the study were attentive and focused. This could only mean that any proper and healthy diet could work for a patient who is diligently working at it.

April Kerr owns website Best Diabetic which has information on the beginning signs of diabetes and 1200 calorie diabetic diet.

Tags: Health/Diseases and Conditions/Diabetes diabetes diabetic diet health blood sugar levels protein fat vitamins heart

What is The Proper Diabetes Diet?