Tips to Plan a Diet When You Have Diabetes

One of the biggest problems which a diabetic is faced with is to plan a diet suitable for his or her condition. There are so many restrictions that a diabetic can easily get confused as to which way to turn when it comes to managing his chronic ailment at the same time have some good, nutritious and wholesome diet. There are three things which you ought to remember which are extremely important when planning a diet when you have diabetes: you must consult your doctor or a diabetes specialist before you start on a new diet; ensure that you have only the foods suggested by the doctor; ensure you stick to the portion suggested in such menus. So, to get you started, here are some tips on how to plan a diet for a diabetic:

A diabetic diet usually consists of 50% starches, 30% proteins and 20% fat. This is according to the diabetic food pyramid.

All foods for the diabetic must be in the recommended measures. So it is best to use a standard measuring cup or a teaspoon or a tablespoon.

Avoid all in-between snacks and no meal must be missed when you have diabetes.
Fried foods are to be avoided completely. Instead foods must be baked, boiled or broiled.

There are no specific foods recommended but you must insist on foods which are fat-free and low calorie.

Have plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoid frozen foods. Have skimmed milk instead of whole milk.

All sweets, candy, honey or anything which is prepared with sugar are to be avoided.
Foods and drinks which are rich in cholesterol or fats are to be avoided. These include beer, wine, red meats and alcohol which must be avoided at all costs.

The standard recommended calorie intake for a diabetic is 1800 calories. To break up these calories in meals, you could follow this routine:

Breakfast: 2/3 of a cup of apple juice, ½ of a cup of oatmeal, one slice of toast, one soft cooked egg, one cup of skim milk, and a glass of coffee or tea.

Lunch: half cup of tuna or similar lean fish, two slices of bread, half cup of tomato slices, a cup of mixed fruit, a teaspoon of margarine, and a glass of tea with lemon.
Dinner: three ounces of baked chicken, half cup of mashed potatoes, a slice of bread and a cup of broccoli or a tossed salad with a tablespoon of salad dressing.

As is evident from the above food list, planning a diet for a diabetic is not that difficult if you exercise a bit of caution and plan for foods which are allowed in terms of calories and portion sizes. The foods are also tasty and wholesome. They can be satisfying to the diabetic.(Jeff Patterson)

Jeff Patterson is the author of the health and nutrition site http://www.e-natureguide.com
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