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Diabetic Diet Basic
The basics
to diabetic diet meal planning are simple once we understand the way our
body breaks down food. Everything we eat is broken down into sugar
eventually. Sugary foods such as sweets or fruit hit the bloodstream almost
immediately, followed by the slower starches (carbohydrates, or carbs),
which take an hour or two to break down depending on their complexity.
Proteins are next, taking about four hours, then between six and eight hours
the fats finally break down. If strict attention is paid to diet and
exercise, many diabetics can control their blood sugar with minimal
dependence on medication.
Diabetic Diet Plan And Goal
Diabetic diet plan differ from person to person due to our daily
nutritional needs and type of diabetes a person suffers. Following are the
most common type of diabetes diet:
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Type 1 Diabetes
Diet - Type 1 diabetes always requires insulin treatment, the main focus
is to find a balance between the food intake and insulin.
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Type 2 Diabetic
Diet - Type 2 diet focus on controlling weight in order to improve the body's
ability to utilize insulin. In most cases Type 2 diabetes can be controlled
through proper diet and exercise alone.
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Gestational Diabetes Diet - unlike the Type 2 diet, gestational
diabetes diet focus on adequate energy and nutrients to support both the
mother’s body and growing baby while maintaining stable blood glucose levels
for the pregnant mother.
The diet
goal is to eat a balanced, portion controlled meal that will allow
our body to stay on an even keel throughout the day as the components of
each meal hit the system. Eating every two to three hours is best, five or
six small meals being recommended, and light exercise after each meal will
help kick start the digestive system and prevent a spike in sugar levels.
If we can include appropriate servings from each food category at each meal,
they will break down at different rates, delivering a steady trickle of
sugar into the bloodstream and keeping our energy level stable. This saves
our system from having to deal with a great influx all at once, as it would
if we ate only carbs, or only protein.
Diabetic Diet Sample Meal And Food
The ideal diabetic meal will consist of a combination of foods. Some foods
cross categories, like bread products that are high in fat, dairy items that
provide protein, and starchy vegetables. Our needs will vary depending on
the time of day and how much physical activity we engage in. Following is a
sample diabetic diet meal :
One serving
of protein (3 oz of chicken, lean beef or fish)
One serving of bread (whole grain roll, tortilla or ½ cup pasta)
One serving of dairy (cheese, milk or low-fat sour cream)
One serving vegetables (fist sized portion or a small bowl of salad)
One serving fruit (tennis ball sized or ½ cup sliced)
Small amounts of unsaturated fats are needed, so add a little dressing or a
pat of soft margarine. Avoid sweets; consider the fruit your dessert!
Foods that should be avoided include; fatty red meat, organ meat, highly
processed food, fried food, fast food, high cholesterol food and foods rich
in saturated fat.
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