The Best Diet For Diabetics: What Is Good For You And What Should You Avoid?

It is really important that diabetics follow a balanced diet. This is necessary to avoid the development of complications resulting from their condition. They also need to do physical activities to take care of their general health.

The best diet for diabetics: what's good for you and what to avoid?

People diagnosed with diabetes mellitus should completely overhaul their diet. After all, this is part of their treatment. Because it is necessary that they keep their blood sugar levels under control. So what is the best diet for diabetics?

It is also essential that you change many other habits. Diet, in particular, plays a very important role in adapting to this disease. But also to avoid further complications. This article introduces you to the best diet for diabetics.

So a healthy diet means eating foods with a high nutritional value. In addition, you should eat them in moderate portions and also stick to a strict meal plan.

Diet may vary depending on weight, age and other factors. But it usually consists of moderating calorie intake. At the same time, you also need to make sure that it contains the nutrients that the body needs.

What can a diabetic eat or not eat? What are the best recommendations? Often this design can raise some questions. That is why we give you the most important information in this article. We also explain to you what the best diet for diabetics looks like.

Why should diabetics watch their diet?

People with diabetes or with prediabetes must indeed follow a special diet. Because it is very important that they control high blood sugar levels and other related problems.

So the diet plan is based on a combination of healthy foods. They affect several aspects of health.

In general, these are the goals of this diet:

Control high blood sugar levels.
Maintain a stable body weight.
Prevent cardiovascular complications.
Lowering cholesterol and triglycerides.
Maintain proper functioning of the kidneys.
Stimulate the activity of the nervous system.

What are the benefits of a special diet?

People who are confronted with this chronic condition often suffer from many consequences. These are the result of not taking appropriate measures. Because it affects the whole body.

But if they improve their diet, it can bring great benefits to their quality of life. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the problem itself.

A few examples of the benefits of a good diet are:

A stable blood pressure.
Preventing vision problems.
Less fatigue.

Physical and mental well-being.
A healthy body weight.

Which foods are the best diet for diabetics?

A diet for diabetics is based on three main foods. You should also eat them at regular times every day. This ensures that the body uses the insulin optimally.

Doctors often also recommend consulting a nutritionist. After all, every case is different. Still, there are some common basic recommendations.

Healthy carbohydrates

Fruit and vegetables.
Whole grains.

Legumes (beans, lentils or peas).
Low-fat dairy products.

Dietary fiber

Whole wheat flour or bran.
nuts.
Green vegetables and fruits.
Oatmeal.

Healthy fatty acids

Fatty fish.
Seeds and nuts.
Avocado.
Olive oil, canola oil, also known as canola oil.

Protein

legumes.
Eggs.
Lean meats (especially chicken or turkey).
Low-fat or low-fat dairy products.
Seafood and shellfish.

What foods should diabetics avoid?

Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and other chronic diseases that can even be fatal.

Therefore, you should not only eat healthy foods. But it is also important that you eliminate other harmful foods from your diet or at least limit the intake.

Saturated fats

Beef.
Salted meat.
Bacon.
Fried foods
Refined vegetable oil.

trans fats

Processed food.
Pastries.
Margarine.

cholesterol

Dairy products and (too much) animal proteins
egg yolk.
fast food.
Desserts.

Sodium

Refined table salt.
Canned foods or ready meals.

Note: It is recommended that you eat less than 2.3 grams of sodium per day. In cases of high blood pressure, it should be even less than 1.5 grams per day.

sugars

Added sugars

Sweets and desserts
Pastries.
Packaged breakfast cereal.

Diet advice for diabetics

So diabetics should follow a diet recommended by a nutritionist. But there are also some general tips you can follow to improve your health.

First, increase the number of meals. Because instead of three large meals, it is better to eat five or six smaller meals.
Also, set a time for each meal.
In addition, make sure you have fixed times to take your medication.
Do regular physical activity.

Keep your carbohydrate intake under control.
In addition, stop using alcohol.

Eating a healthy diet can be challenging for people who have just learned they have diabetes. But it is the best way to learn to cope with living with this condition.