Monday, March 14, 2011

Diabetes - Which Foods To Eat And Avoid

One of the biggest disadvantages of being a diabetic is having to watch
everything you eat. However, when you know what you can and can’t eat, you can modify your diet accordingly and make choices that will fit your taste and lifestyle. In this article, I will give you some pointers on which foods diabetics can enjoy and which foods they should avoid.

First of all, let’s talk about bad foods for diabetics. It’s very important that you keep an eye on anything that is made of refined or simple carbs. These carbs can be found in everything that has been transformed and refined for taste purposes. While these foods can be tasty, they can also be very dangerous for a diabetic person.

Anything that is made with white flour and white sugar should be avoided like the plague. It’s also very important that you refrain from eating starchy foods such as peas, parsnips and carrots. White pasta, rice and corn are also very high in sugar and should only be taken in moderation.

Now let’s talk about good foods for diabetics. Anything that is made of complex carbohydrates is recommended for people with diabetes. Anything that is made of whole wheat bran is a great source of complex carbs. Legumes are also a great source of complex carbohydrates.

High fiber carbohydrates sources can help you control your blood sugar more easily. Complex carbs, especially those coming from high fiber foods, take longer to be digested by your body. This will cause your body to feel full longer and will stabilize your blood sugar level. When you have diabetes, the last thing you want is sudden ups and downs in your blood sugar level, so high fiber complex carbs should be a major part of your diet if you’re a diabetic.

Fruits and vegetables can get tricky when you’re a diabetic. We are taught from a young age that fruits and vegetables are good for you and that you should eat as many as you can, but the fact is that a lot of fruits and vegetables can actually be harmful for a diabetic person. Pineapples per example are very high in sugar and should only be eaten on occasions. Mangoes are also and example of a fruit that can be dangerous to a diabetic.

Before you do your grocery list, it’s very important that you stay aware of
which foods you should and shouldn’t eat. Make sure that you do your grocer shopping on a full stomach so that you make sound decisions. Ask your professional for an extensive list of good and bad foods for you condition and you’ll be able to enjoy the foods you love risk free.