For a diabetic, nutrition plays a crucial role. It prevents the complications related with diabetes and helps to treat the disease. Your body demands the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to produce energy for its functions. It’s important that you know what and how much to consume, in order to keep your blood sugar levels in control.
ProteinProtein is required for fuel energy. However, most of the people consume more protein than needed. Lean meats, fish, chicken, and lean beef products are the best sources of protein. Remember; the way of cooking them is important too. Avoid the high fat methods of cooking. Switch to grilling or broiling your food. It tastes delicious and is low in fats. If you are suffering from kidney problems, it’s vital to keep a check on your protein intake.
FatsAll fats are not bad. Your body does need fat to protect your inner organs. Fat contains concentrated energy. It regulates your body temperature, and helps in healing inflammation and pain. Fats also help in the absorption of fat-soluble Vitamins like A, D, and E.
It is the excess fat that is harmful. Avoid transfats completely and reduce the intake of saturated fats so that it is below seven percent of your total intake of calories everyday. Start reading the food labels. There are many foods that contain zero transfats. Include fish products such as salmon or sardines in your diet. Also, start using vegetable oils to get sufficient essential fats for your body.
CarbohydratesThis is another important component of our diet. Like fats, carbohydrates are also good and bad types. The steadiness of your blood sugar levels depend on the type of carbohydrate you are taking. It is easy to count your carbs. Every packet of food that you pick up from the store has carbohydrates in each serving. You should go for complex carbohydrates and avoid the simple ones.
Most of the simple carbohydrates are found in sugar related foods. It includes most of the sweets. Simple carbohydrates are broken down right away to convert them into fuel. However, complex carbohydrates, which are good for your body, take longer to be processed. The most popular sugar substitute used by the diabetics is Splenda. You can utilize it to bake with. As long as you are sure that your blood sugar levels are in control, it is okay to consume a little sugar.
Calorie Counting If you are keeping a track on your calories as a technique to reduce weight or control your blood sugar levels, then you make sure that you are taking plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables so that your body gets sufficient vitamins and minerals. Include beans, peas, green leafy vegetables, fruit juices, nuts, and other healthy foods in your diet.