There are many questions concerning what types of foods people with diabetes should and can eat.
Here is a summary of some of the most asked questions I posed to my doctor who has helped a family member of mine cope with diabetes for over 20 years.
I am diabetic and I like to drink to wine with dinner.
Is that unhealthy? A moderate amount of any alcoholic beverage does not affect a diabetic person, but certain precautions should be taken.
Alcohol can cause an abrupt drop in blood sugar levels.
The magnitude of the decline is so large that it can be risky, even for a person who is not diabetic.
For this reason it is advisable to drink alcohol moderately but only during one of your two main meals so that sugar levels do not fall excessively.
Should a diabetic go on a diet that is rich in fiber? The answer to that question is yes.
If you are diabetic, a diet rich in fiber can help you a lot.
What foods have a high fiber content? Fibers are found mainly in fruits, vegetables, legumes and cereals such as wheat and oats.
Some studies have found that some of these foods (although in small measures), actually produce a decrease in blood sugar levels.
Should fructose sugar be used instead or regular sugar to make desserts? You should not if you have high cholesterol.
While it does cause a lesser increase in blood sugar levels, the elevated cholesterol is not a benefit for the body.
Is it necessary to drastically reduce all sugars from my diet? No.
You should greatly decrease sugars that are rapidly absorbed and maintain sugars that are slowly absorbed to a reasonable level.
The rapidly absorbed sugars are found in products such as jams, chocolate and some fruits.
The slowly absorbed sugars are found in starches such as pasta, rice, potatoes, dry beans, breads and cookies.
Can I eat chocolate? If you suppress your desire for chocolate you run the risk of binging during moments of weak will.
It is a better idea to adequately plan your sweet intakes.
Instead of eating milk chocolate (which has a higher fat and sugar content), replace it with dark chocolate.
What changes can I make to feel better? Eat 5 or 6 times a day in small amounts rather than having 3 major meals.
Studies have shown that after moderate intakes the blood sugar level decreases whereas is rises after big meals.
Also, you will decrease your appetite and at the end of the day you will eat fewer calories because you'll be less tempted to eat large quantities during your main meals.
|I wake up starving in the morning.
What can I have for breakfast to calm my hunger without affecting my blood sugar level? You can opt for a good breakfast with great nutritional value for a diabetic person.
Drink coffee or tea (no more than 2 cups) with 50 ml of skim milk and sweetener.
Eat 30 grams of light cheese, 50 grams of whole wheat bread and 100 grams of fruit.
A breakfast similar to this one will provide you with long lasting energy and will maintain your blood sugar level.
The information provided here was done so to answer some common questions out there concerning nutrition for diabetics.
Please keep in mind however, that you should always consult your doctor before implementing and changes to your diet.
Here is a summary of some of the most asked questions I posed to my doctor who has helped a family member of mine cope with diabetes for over 20 years.
I am diabetic and I like to drink to wine with dinner.
Is that unhealthy? A moderate amount of any alcoholic beverage does not affect a diabetic person, but certain precautions should be taken.
Alcohol can cause an abrupt drop in blood sugar levels.
The magnitude of the decline is so large that it can be risky, even for a person who is not diabetic.
For this reason it is advisable to drink alcohol moderately but only during one of your two main meals so that sugar levels do not fall excessively.
Should a diabetic go on a diet that is rich in fiber? The answer to that question is yes.
If you are diabetic, a diet rich in fiber can help you a lot.
What foods have a high fiber content? Fibers are found mainly in fruits, vegetables, legumes and cereals such as wheat and oats.
Some studies have found that some of these foods (although in small measures), actually produce a decrease in blood sugar levels.
Should fructose sugar be used instead or regular sugar to make desserts? You should not if you have high cholesterol.
While it does cause a lesser increase in blood sugar levels, the elevated cholesterol is not a benefit for the body.
Is it necessary to drastically reduce all sugars from my diet? No.
You should greatly decrease sugars that are rapidly absorbed and maintain sugars that are slowly absorbed to a reasonable level.
The rapidly absorbed sugars are found in products such as jams, chocolate and some fruits.
The slowly absorbed sugars are found in starches such as pasta, rice, potatoes, dry beans, breads and cookies.
Can I eat chocolate? If you suppress your desire for chocolate you run the risk of binging during moments of weak will.
It is a better idea to adequately plan your sweet intakes.
Instead of eating milk chocolate (which has a higher fat and sugar content), replace it with dark chocolate.
What changes can I make to feel better? Eat 5 or 6 times a day in small amounts rather than having 3 major meals.
Studies have shown that after moderate intakes the blood sugar level decreases whereas is rises after big meals.
Also, you will decrease your appetite and at the end of the day you will eat fewer calories because you'll be less tempted to eat large quantities during your main meals.
|I wake up starving in the morning.
What can I have for breakfast to calm my hunger without affecting my blood sugar level? You can opt for a good breakfast with great nutritional value for a diabetic person.
Drink coffee or tea (no more than 2 cups) with 50 ml of skim milk and sweetener.
Eat 30 grams of light cheese, 50 grams of whole wheat bread and 100 grams of fruit.
A breakfast similar to this one will provide you with long lasting energy and will maintain your blood sugar level.
The information provided here was done so to answer some common questions out there concerning nutrition for diabetics.
Please keep in mind however, that you should always consult your doctor before implementing and changes to your diet.
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