What Is Included in an American Diabetic Diet?For those who are already diagnosed with diabetes, or those who are in pre-diabetes stages, following a diabetic diet is essential to good health.
A lot of components go into the American diet for diabetics. Are there foods you should eat? Foods you shouldn’t? Those with diabetes need the same nutrients that those without diabetes need. The main need for those following the American diabetic diet is that it is important to closely monitor blood glucose (sugar) levels.
Following are some basic diet ideas, but if you have diabetes you should meet with a registered dietician to be sure your diet it tailored to your unique needs. The right American diet for diabetics that might be right for you may not be right for others. Each person has unique dietary needs, whether they are diabetic or not. You may need to watch overall calories, or you may need to monitor sodium, sugar or cholesterol. A dietician can help you sort this out and create a plan to meet your needs.
The American Diabetes Association recommends an American diabetic diet that closely follows the food pyramid guidelines. This means that you should consume the most items from the breads, grains and starches category, followed by fruits and vegetables, then meat/meat substitutes, protein and milk, and finally fats, oils and sweets. You should eat fewer items from each category, with the fewest from the fats, oils and sweets category. Basically, whether you are diabetic and following an American diabetic diet or simply concerned about nutrition, everyone should be following a healthy diet that adheres to the pyramid. The few differences with the diabetic diet with regard to the pyramid include smaller servings, for example a serving of fruit is half a cup rather than ¾ of a cup, and some food items have been moved to fit the category better, for example potatoes are with the starches rather than vegetables.
One good rule of thumb for following an American diabetic diet, or any healthy diet, is to look at your plate each meal. One half of your plate should be vegetables, one quarter should be carbohydrates or starches, and one quarter should be meat or protein. You can then add a glass of milk and a small piece of fruit and you’re following a great plan. Can you follow an American diabetic diet if you go out to eat? Sure! Eating out is a part of most people’s lives, and there are ways that you can make it meet your diet needs as well. Choose water or diet drinks, and avoid items that are likely high in fat. Choose a low fat or no fat dressing for your salad, and ask for dressings and sauces on the side. Select a meal that is grilled or broiled rather than fried or breaded. Also, it’s okay to ask for substitutions, such as a baked potato rather than French fries. As with any diet plan, it is important to incorporate exercise into your lifestyle. Just follow these steps to start losing weight and controlling your diabetes.
Even following an American diabetic diet closely you will still need to try to get thirty minutes of exercise in most days of the week. Overcoming obesity can go a long way in helping you treat your diabetes, or help you avoid it to begin with.
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