What is the Best Diet for Someone who is Diabetic?
Eating healthily is very important for your health and well-being. A lot of information available to help guide your food choices, but it can be difficult to know where to find it. To help, we have listed some advice to help you make healthy choices.
Fruit and Vegetables
- Include more fruit and vegetables in your diet, but not “starchy” vegetables such as potatoes.
- Fresh is best, but frozen and canned are also good for you. Just make sure that they do not contain added fat or salt.
- Eat vegetables that are different colors and types. This is because they contain different vitamins and minerals, which have different health benefits.
- Fruit provides the sugar your body needs in its natural form.
- If you buy canned or frozen fruit, make sure that there is no added sugar.
Grains
- Select foods made with whole grains. For example, eat whole-wheat or brown pasta, bread, and rice rather than white.
- If you are buying foods made from grains, make sure that whole grain is the first ingredient listed on the label.
- For breakfast, if you eat cereal make sure that it is low in sugar, with no added sugars.
Proteins
- Eat fish at least twice per week.
- Include vegetarian-based proteins, such as soy and beans.
- Eggs are an excellent source of protein.
- Eat less red meat. When you do eat red meat, select lean cuts, such as pork loin or sirloin steak.
- Remove any skin from turkey and chicken before cooking.
Dairy Products and Fats
- Use low-fat varieties where possible, as long as they do not have added sugar. Many low-fat foods can be worse for your diabetes because sugar is added to replace the fat.
- For milk, use unflavored soy milk, 1% cows milk, or skimmed milk when possible.
- Select low- or reduced-fat cheeses.
- Limit unhealthy fats such as animal fats. They can be replaced with healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, avocado, and vegetable or nut oils.