Anyone who suffers from diabetes type 2 will always like to ask this question: “Is my diabetes under control?” But they know for a fact that to achieve this it is so important to have a healthy diabetic diet meal plan. This is because this person will face much difficulties in trying to maintain his or her blood glucose levels and having the right diet meal plan is essential to control this disease. But what really is the right diet or meal plan like?
However this information is a guide that will give you some good ideas about healthy eating or answer some of your questions about the right diabetic diet meal as well as about eating & diet. A visit to your dietitian is still very much something that must be done first before doing so though.
Type 2 Diabetes Diet-Carbohydrates and Fiber Are The Essentials
Of all the food types and categories like proteins and fats, carbohydrates remained the top most important. This is because they provide you the fuel your body needs called glucose which essentially is sugar that your body cells need as energy.
In carbohydrates, there are mainly two types, the first one being simple carbohydrate and the other is the more complex kind. Simple carbohydrates take the form of sugars which include glucose, lactose, sucrose and fructose. They can be found in refined sugar and the fruits you eat.
Complex carbohydrates on the other hand are the starches and are usually found in all the nuts, whole grains, vegetables and beans you consumed. They are the healthier category of the two containing much fiber and they are digested much more slowly providing you very good energy for the body.
You will need to understand carbohydrates well enough if you are a type 2 diabetic patient because they affect your blood sugar levels. The reason why this is so is because these carbohydrates are quickly broken down into sugar during the digestion process. It is therefore important to consume the recommended amount of carbohydrates during each meal along with fat and protein, something which your dietician will advise you if you have one.
The following food categories contain Carbohydrates and they can be classified in the following food groups:
- Fruit
- Milk and yogurt
- Bread, cereal, rice, pasta
- Starchy vegetables e.g. potatoes
Carbohydrate Counting-What is it?
In essence, carbohydrate counting plays an important part of your healthy-eating plan in which you can keep track of the quantity consumed. To be able to keep diabetes under control you must first learn about counting the grams of carbohydrates and how to keep track of what you have consumed. You will then be in complete control of the situation because you have learned how to distribute the carbohydrate intake at all your meals. Ultimately you also learned to maintain your blood sugar levels. One carbohydrate serving is about 15 grams of carbohydrates.
Actually learning about carbohydrate counting is not just for the person who suffers from diabetes type 2 and who has insulin resistance, although the benefits are so obvious. When you eat more carbohydrates than your insulin supply can handle it,your blood sugar levels go up. On the other hand if you consumed too little your blood sugar level will fall. Counting carbohydrates can keep these fluctuations in check.
It is best to seek advice from a reputable dietitian who can suggest a suitable carbohydrate counting plan that can meet your specific requirements. The typical adult would need about three carbohydrate servings at each meal and a couple during snacks.
1. Diabetes Type 1 or Type 2 | Manage Diabetes Through Diet
Start monitoring your carbohydrates that you consumed in your diet. With both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, you can help control your blood sugar with your diet. This is important because carbohydrates affect your glucose level. The ideal diet plan should include a mixture of fruits and nuts, vegetables, meats, diary products and whole grains.
2. Getting High Blood Sugar After Your Meals?
For people with diabetes, care must be taken to avoid getting high blood sugar after taking your daily meals.This is the time to stick to your special diabetes diet meal plan and know how many carbs you should be eating. Always remember when you control your blood sugar, you control the risk of type 2 diabetes if you have been spared that is.
3. Exercises
Fitness & Exercise play a vital role for people with any types of diabetes in the living & managing of this illness. Doing regular exercises help you control your blood sugar especially with patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. They help to stimulate the liver and muscles to use the glucose in your body. While generally good exercises can sometimes cause your sugar levels to drop so it is recommended to do your health check and measure your blood sugar readings before and after your exercises. If your blood sugar drops when you exercised then focus on eating more healthy snacks like fruits.
