Diabetes Diet: Do‘s and Don’ts

By Sowmiya Prasad

If you are diabetic, then the only way to manage it is through a well planned diet. Diabetes diet plays an imperative role in the treatment of the disease. Of course, the diet varies with age, sex, weight, height, physical work etc. of a person. Diabetes may be of Type 1 or Type 2. About 80% of the diabetic are affected by type 2. The condition in Type 2 is that the pancreas secretes adequate insulin whereas the body cells fail to respond to it.

A good diabetes diet is the root of a healthy living. But what makes a healthy diet? Just Google diabetes diet and you will find a number of results popping out. This may ultimately leave you in a confusion of which to follow. Ask an expert and he says, "A healthy diabetes diet should include a high content fiber, green veggies, fruits, milk etc.," however, all these should be supported by adequate physical activity. Also, remember all these foods should be taken in limited amount.

For those who are diabetic, you may not take the pain and stress of thinking what to do and what not to do. Here we bring you a few do's and don'ts s in a diabetes diet.

The Do’s

The Do’s

"Water- the elixir of life". The first thing to do is to keep your body hydrated always, see that you drink plenty of water. Carry a bottle of water with you, wherever you go. Consume water every 30 minutes.

The Do’s

The Do’s

Try including herbal tea in your diet instead of caffeinated one. You may opt for green tea, ginger tea or any other herbal tea you may like. Take a note to drink these herbal teas without sugar or by adding low calorie sweetener.

The Do’s

The Do’s

Go for a non-fatty diabetes diet. A low calorie diet is something you should always opt when you are diabetic.

The Do’s

The Do’s

Say a big yes to veggies. It is essential that you add at least 3 servings of vegetables in your daily diabetes diet

The Do’s

The Do’s

Onion is a best diabetic food. Add raw onions to your diet. This may aid digestion.

The Do’s

The Do’s

You may also add fruits to your diabetes diet. Add fruits like chikoo, mango, banana in small quantities.

The Do’s

The Do’s

The Indian blue berry or Jamun is one best diabetic food. Add to your diet as it is capable of lowering your blood sugar levels.

The Do’s

The Do’s

Karela or bitter gourd is one of the most common diabetes diet. It is said to reduce the sugar levels in the blood considerably.

The Do’s

The Do’s

You may also add flax seed and cinnamon solution in your diet. This may reduce cholesterol levels and also improve glucose metabolism.

The Do’s

The Do’s

Don't forget to add antioxidants in your diabetes diet. Diabetes may produce free radicals, adding vitamin C, Vitamin E etc., may destroy free radicals.

The Don’ts

The Don’ts

The first and foremost thing you should not do while you follow a diabetes diet is not to skip food. This may leave your sugar levels unbalanced,

The Don’ts

The Don’ts

Say no-no to your favorite chocolates, ice-creams, cookies.

The Don’ts

The Don’ts

Avoid rice and try including a lot of fiber in to your diabetic food.

The Don’ts

The Don’ts

If you are fond of those fried potatoes, then it is time to avoid it. Bake or boil it instead.

The Don’ts

The Don’ts

Lessen the amount of salt you add to your diabetic food. If you are diabetic you are also at a risk of developing hyper tension.

The Don’ts

The Don’ts

You may be a foodie, but no way, you should control your over eating habit.

The Don’ts

The Don’ts

No more than 2 cups of tea or coffee per day. Make it a rule.

The Don’ts

The Don’ts

If you are a non-vegetarian it is mandatory that you avoid red meat and also lessen the consumption of eggs and poultry products.

The Don’ts

The Don’ts

Avoid alcohol, and quit smoking, this is a big crime when it comes to diabetes.

The Don’ts

The Don’ts

Don't change your diet plan and making amendments to it because of external pressure.

Story first published: Thursday, November 21, 2013, 17:28 [IST]
Read more about: diabetes