Top 5 Diabetes Diet Tips for Creating Healthy Meal Plan

Diet plays a key role in controlling your blood sugar. A healthy-eating plan tailored to your needs will do that and more. Majority of people affected with diabetes are overweight or obese. In fact, your risk of getting diabetes increases the more weight you put on.

So controlling your diet can be the key to reducing the risk of diabetes as well as improving your symptoms if you are already affected by this disease people often refer to as “the silent killer.”

Everybody knows that maintaining a good diet is a healthy choice for every person. But for diabetes patients, this statement means something more significant than the recent fad over healthy living.

For diabetes patients, having a healthy diet means eating in a way that reduces the risk for complications that are commonly associated with their conditions, including heart disease and stroke. For them, a healthy diet could mean the difference between die-abetes and live-abetes.

Eating healthy involves eating a wide variety of foods that encompasses the whole diet spectrum of vegetables, whole grains, fruits, non-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, poultry, and fish.

No, you do not have to eat all of that, but a little bit of this and that enough to balance the three basic food groups (Go, Grow, and Glow) is what you should aim for.

Tip #1: Preparing a Meal Plan

When you go on a diabetes diet, the first things you need to do is to prepare a meal plan. This will serve as your guide to how much and what kinds of food you can choose to eat at meals, and even at snack times if you wish to include that.

Now, be sure that your meal plan fits in with your schedule and eating habits. That way you will not be likely to ruin your diet simply because your work schedule conflicts with your meal schedule.

Keep in mind your end-goal: To keep your blood glucose in levels that are easy enough to maintain.

In addition to that somewhat myopic diet goal for diabetes, you also want to follow a meal plan that will help you improve your blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as keep your weight on track.

All these – blood pressure, cholesterol and weight – are factors that contribute to the worsening of your diabetes symptoms, so controlling them could very well mean controlling your diabetes.

When preparing a meal plan, be sure to balance uptake and down take – that is, food and exercise, respectively. Additionally, your doctor may have prescribed you with insulin or oral medications to help you manage your condition.

Take those medications into account as well when you plan your meal plan, making sure that the food is balanced with the drugs. The whole thing sounds like it’s a lot of work but with a few suggestions from your physician and/or dietician you can start building a meal plan that is best for you and your condition.

Tip #2: Use the Diabetes Food Pyramid

The Diabetes Food Pyramid, released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is composed of six food groups (arranged according to how much you should eat from the least to the most and based on carbohydrate and protein content):

• Fats, sweets, and alcohol
• Milk
• Meat, meat substitutes, and other proteins
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Grains, beans, and starchy vegetables

Fats, sweets, and alcohol are the one food group that diabetes patients should avoid.

The problem with diabetes involves a certain malfunction in the way our bodies make use of glucose in the blood. It is either there is too much glucose in our blood because we ate too much food rich in sugar so that the hormone responsible for regulating glucose – insulin – is unable to cope. Or, our cells are defective so that even though we have enough insulin to handle the job, our cells do not respond.

In order to control the levels of glucose in the blood stream, controlling diabetes diet is important. The intake of fats, sweets, and alcohol and other generally “unhealthy” foods should be minimized and only for special treats.

As for the rest of the food groups, here are the serving sizes recommended by the American Diabetes Association:

• Meat and Meat Substitutes: 4-6 oz. per day and divided between meals. This is equivalent to ¼ cup cottage cheese, 1 egg, 1 tbsp peanut butter, or ½ cup tofu.
• Milk: 2-3 servings per day
• Fruit: 2-4 servings per day
• Vegetables: 3-5 servings per day
• Grains and Starches: 6-11 servings per day, equivalent to 1 slice of bread, ¼ of a bagel, or ½ of an English muffin or pita bread.

Use this Diabetes Food Pyramid only as a guide in planning your meals. If you want a more individualized option, consult your dietician.

Tip #3: Draw Lines on Your Plate

Another good way to ensure that you are eating a balanced diet is to draw a line across your plate. It could only be an imaginary line. As you sit there for a meal, the exercise might even prove to be fun.

The first step, of course, is to imagine that you are drawing a line through the center of your plate. Then, divide one of the halves into two.

Then, fill this section with grains or starchy foods, such as rice, pasta, potatoes, corn, or peas.

The other section should comprise your meat and meat substitute group – meat, fish, poultry, or tofu.

Next, fill half of your plate with non-starchy vegetables. You can place there broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, salad, tomatoes, and cauliflower.

Last, add a glass of milk and a small piece of roll, and eh voila! You are ready to eat.

Tip #4: Reading Food Labels

With food labels, it all comes down to the Nutrition Facts. It’s that list of nutrition information found on the package of foods sold in the grocery store. Reading food labels can help you make wise choices about the foods you buy. The labels will tell you what ingredients were used, the amount of calories, and other pertinent information essential to a diabetes patient.

For instance, a typical food label would contain the total amounts per serving for the following nutrients:

• Calories
• Total fat
• Saturated fat
• Cholesterol
• Sodium
• Total carbohydrate
• Fiber

Use the nutrition facts found in food labels to compare similar types of foods and buy the one that contains fewer calories, lower fats, cholesterol, etc.

Pay close attention to free foods like sugar-free gelatin desert, sugar-free ice pops, sugarless gum, diet soft drinks, and sugar-free syrups. Just because they are called “free” does not mean they are entirely free of calories so don’t be overconfident. Instead, read the label. Most free foods should have less than 20 calories and 5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.

Another thing, “no-sugar added” means no sugar was added during the manufacture and packaging of the foods. The ingredients do not include sugar. However, the food may be high in carbohydrates still so be sure to read the label carefully.

Fat-free foods could still mean that they contain lots of carbohydrates. Often, they contain almost the same amount of calories as the foods they replace so be sure to pay attention to the label. Buying fat-free foods instead of regular foods does not necessarily mean that you are making a wise choice.

Tip #5: A Word about Sweets
Now, you know that sweets are generally discouraged among diabetes patients. However, having diabetes does not necessarily mean that you cannot have sweets. Imagine how bad life can be for the sweet tooth with diabetes. But as long as you keep your intake of sweets in moderation, there is no reason you have to eschew sugar from your life forever. After all, glucose (sugar) is still the most basic source of energy that the body needs.

So sweeten your foods with these following options:

• Sugar and other sweeteners with calories: honey, brown sugar, molasses, fructose, cane sugar, and confectioners sugar

• Reduced calorie sweeteners: erythritol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol

• Low calories sweeteners: ascelfume potassium, aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose

Research has overturned the long standing belief that sugar caused diabetes. The new studies show us that sugar has in fact the same effect on blood glucose levels as other carbohydrates like bread and potatoes. Based on this discovery, experts agree that a diabetic can now consume sugar as long as they incorporate it into their meal plan the way they would with any ordinary carbohydrate-containing foods.
Now that you have been pointed to the right direction with these tips to improve your diabetes diet, you can go ahead and live a healthier, fuller life where nothing – no carb nor sweets – is denied you, as long as you keep it all in moderation.

Causes of Diabetes

Certain factors that contribute to the development of diabetes are:

Heredity: Heredity is a major factor. That diabetes can be inherited has been known for centuries. However, the pattern of inheritance is not fully understood. Statistic indicates that those with a family history of the disease have a higher risk of developing diabetes than those without such a background. The risk factor is 25 to 33 percent more.

One reason why diabetes, especially type-2 diabetes runs in the family is because of the diabetes gene. But even it is caused by genetic factors beyond your control; there is no reason to suffer from it. Diabetes cannot be cured in full sense of the term, but it can be effectively controlled so that you would not know the difference.

Diet: Diabetes has been described by most medical scientists as a prosperity’ disease, primarily caused by systematic overeating. Not only is eating too much sugar and refined carbohydrates harmful, but proteins and fats, which are transformed into sugar, may also result in diabetes if taken in excess.

It is interesting to note that diabetes is almost unknown in countries where people are poor and cannot afford to overeat. The incidence of diabetes is directly linked with the consumption of processed foods rich in refined carbohydrates, like biscuits, bread, cakes chocolates, pudding and ice creams.

Obesity: Obesity is one of the main causes of diabetes. Studies show that 60 to 85 % of diabetics tend to be overweight. In the United States of America, about 80 percent of type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetics are reported to be overweight.

Excess fat prevents insulin from working properly. The more fatty tissue in the body, the more resistant the muscle and tissue cells become to body insulin. Insulin allows the sugar in the blood to enter the cells by acting on the receptor sites on the surface of the cells.

Older people often tend to gain weight, and the same time, many of them develop and mild form of diabetes because who are over weight can often improve their blood sugar simply by losing weight.

Stress and Tension: There is a known connection between stress and diabetes, those who are under stress and/or lead an irregular lifestyle, need to take adequate precautions and make necessary lifestyle adjustments.

Grief, worry and anxiety resulting from examinations, death of a close relative, loss of a joy, business failure and strained marital relationship, all a deep influence on the metabolism and may cause sugar to appear in the urine.

Smoking: Smoking is another important risk factor. Among men who smoke, the risk of developing diabetes is doubled. In women who smoke 25 or more cigarettes a day, the risk of developing diabetes is increased by 40 percent.

Lifestyle Risk: People who are less active have greater risk of developing diabetes. Modern conveniences have made work easier. Physical activity and exercise helps control weight, uses up a lot of glucose (sugar) present in the blood as energy and makes cells more sensitive to insulin. Consequently, the workload on the pancreas is reduced.

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What You Need to Know About Diabetic Shoes

What Makes a Diabetes Shoe Different?

Diabetic footwear tends to provide more room for the foot and for orthotic inserts than a normal shoe. Diabetes shoes tend to be wider and deeper than most other shoes and can be fitted with comfortable insoles.

In most cases, diabetics will have shoes custom made in order to ensure that the shoe distributes weight properly and fits the foot perfectly. Having a custom-made shoe can prevent rubbing, chafing, and loss of circulation to the foot that a person with diabetes may not notice because of the loss of sensation in the foot.

In addition to being specialty-crafted for the diabetic individual, diabetes shoes and diabetic sandals also tend to be manufactured with breathable fibers, such as fabric or netting, so that the foot has healthy air circulation. Good air circulation allows the skin to breathe, which helps to prevent pressure ulcers and increases blood circulation.

How to Find a Good Pair of Diabetes Shoes

•    Look for fabrics that “breathe,” such as canvas or even sandals. Breathable fibers will prevent your foot from sweating, swelling, and chafing.

•    The shoes should be deep enough to accommodate an orthotic insert and wide enough to prevent pinching.

•    Avoid shoes that have interior seams, which may rub against the skin and cause chafing.

•    The toe box in the front of the shoe needs to be roomy enough so that you can wiggle your toes.

•    Elastic in the shoes may also help to prevent the shoe from sliding around on the foot while holding it comfortably in place.

People with diabetes are more prone to foot pain due to an increased risk of damage to nerves and blood vessels. You can help prevent these problems with the following tips:

•    Wash your feet in warm water with mild soap every day, but don’t soak them. Dry them well, especially between your toes.

•    Check your feet every day for cuts, sores, blisters, redness, calluses, or any other problem. Call your doctor if healing doesn’t start after one day.

•    If your skin is dry, rub lotion on your feet after you wash and dry them. Do not put lotion between your toes.

•    Gently file corns and calluses with an emery board or pumice stone (move it in only one direction). Do this after your bath or shower, when the skin is soft.

•    Trim your toenails once a week or when needed. Cut them with a nail clipper straight across, then smooth the edges with an emery board. If you can’t see or reach them, ask a family member or your health care team for help.

•    Always wear slippers or shoes to protect your feet from injuries. Don’t wear sandals and don’t walk barefoot, even around the house.

•    Always wear socks or stockings to avoid blisters. Choose a pair that fits your feet well and has soft elastic.

•    Wear shoes and socks for diabetics that fit well. Shop for shoes at the end of the day when your feet are bigger. Break in shoes slowly. Wear them 1 to 2 hours each day for the first few weeks.

Talk to your doctor for more information about how you can take care of your feet. Remember: taking good care of your feet will help to prevent long-term problems like amputation.

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Gifts for Your Diabetic Mother

Just because you have foot ailments does not mean that you have to sacrifice style. The very fashionable diabetic shoes and diabetic boots are designed just for people who suffer with diabetes and foot pain so often associated with diabetes disease.

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, people have been running in circles, trying to figure out the right gifts for their mothers. The solution becomes much more difficult, in those cases where the mothers in question, happen to be afflicted with diabetes.

Yet, unknown to many, there are actually a whole host of gifting options at your disposal, provided you apply your mind and thought to them.

For instance, did you even think of the non-food items that you could gift to your mother? In fact, in the very first place, who told you that the gifting season was all about gifting food items only?

Trusting that you would obviously know your own mother very well and therefore would be completely tuned in to her interests, likes and dislikes, why not gift her something that is completely in line with the same?

In fact, if you look online and see any of the various websites that sell gift items for diabetics, you will see a wide range of non-food gift items that can easily be gifted to diabetics; in some cases, they are even especially meant for the same.

For your mother, how about a new pair of diabetic shoes for women in a color and style that she truly appreciates? And how about jewelry and other accessories to match with the same? Think sling bags, think purses, think jewelry of a certain type, shape and size that she really adores…the possibilities are truly endless.

Further, again assuming that you definitely know your mother and her interests and passions all too well, why not gift her, a set of movies starring her favorite movie star? In this regard, remember that somewhere deep inside, diabetics do tend to suffer from depression and loneliness, at least to some extent, though it need not always be the case. Therefore, these movies that you will be gifting to her, will probably serve a vital role of cheering her otherwise gloomy disposition.

Finally, has your mother been longing to travel for long yet not been able to fulfill her desire?  This may just be the perfect opportunity for you to fulfill her dreams and allow them to take wings, albeit quite literally! In fact, if you consider the uplifting effect that leisure traveling has on spirits; women’s diabetic shoes are a priceless gift that you would be giving to your mother – one that she will truly cherish for eternity!

A healthy diet along with regular exercises and Diabetic footwear is vital for all the diabetic people in order to improve one’s cardiovascular health, improve blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Always remember that making some small changes in your life if you have diabetes can surely help you to reduce your blood sugar levels for a longer run.

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Have Diabetes? Don’t Ignore Your Foot Problems

Peripheral Neuropathy is one of the common side effects of diabetes, which can cause insensitivity, or a loss of sensation in the extremities to feel pain, heat, and cold in a diabetic person. It is very important for a diabetic person to take care of foot related injuries and wear specially designed shoes for diabetic.

Diabetic foot problems have become common throughout the world today. People with diabetes are quite at risk of developing many different foot problems. Even the ordinary foot problem can become painful and can lead to serious complications. Minor injuries can easily become major infections among diabetics so it is always advised not to avoid your foot problems.

Diabetes and foot pain are very closely related, and foot pain can be taken as the warning sign of diabetes.  Diabetes can limit blood supply to your feet and cause a loss of feeling. Proper foot care with wearing diabetics shoes is very essential for a diabetic person, as wounds to the feet may take much longer to heal.  Therefore, it is very important to prevent them in the first place. So a diabetic person is always advised to do a routine self-inspection of each foot.

As the connection between diabetes and foot problems is clear, there are hundreds of diabetic footwear options available in the market. These diabetic shoes for men are designed in such a way so as to provide complete support to the feet while also helping in improving the circulation and blood flow.  Choosing and wearing proper fit diabetic shoe, complete with custom insoles, can prevent the feet from injuries and further irritation. By wearing diabetic shoes on a regular basis, you can make sure that your feet won’t have complications in the future.  Diabetic footwear plays an important role in helping your feet, even if you are taking good care of your health getting your sugar levels checked regularly.

A healthy diet along with regular exercises with men’s & women’s diabetic shoes is vital for all the diabetic people in order to improve one’s cardiovascular health, improve blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Always remember that making some small changes in your life if you have diabetes can surely help you to reduce your blood sugar levels for a longer run.

You should consume diabetes specific food available in the market that can help you in reducing the impact of diabetes by helping to regulate your blood sugar.  You are also advised to have a carbohydrates free diet to prevent diabetes in the future.  A healthy eating plan, exercise and medication on the regular basis can help a diabetic person live a healthy, happy and fit lifestyle.

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