Being diabetic doesn’t mean you stick to tasteless, bland food all your life! By smartly planning your meals and making the right food choices, you can bring down the blood sugar levels and even reverse Type II Diabetes. Sounds like this is for you? Then, check out this article to understand the benefits of a Diabetes diet plan, along with sample meal charts.

Diet and Diabetes – What is the Relation?

To understand this relationship, you need to know what Diabetes is. It is a condition in which the body fails to produce enough insulin or utilize it properly, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. One of the biggest culprits behind this disorder is poor dietary habits. It is known that a diet laden with carbohydrates, fats and calories causes the HbA1c levels to rise, leading to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. (1)

These excess fat deposits lead to poor secretion of insulin, as well as weight gain and belly fat. In the long run, you might even develop insulin resistance, which can be dangerous to your health.

To prevent this, you must cut down on sugary, fatty and carb-rich foods and replace them with healthy, nutritious meals. This is the exact funda behind a Diabetes diet plan! It involves planning your meals with better food options in the recommended portions.

What are the Best Foods For Diabetes Control?

Doctors recommend a healthy, balanced diet for diabetic patients. Here, the emphasis is on the word ‘balanced’, which means choosing foods from different food groups to cover all the essential nutrients. This includes,

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Starchy foods like grains, pasta
• Protein foods like lentils, eggs, fish, chicken etc.
• Low-fat dairy
• Healthy oils that cover essential fatty acids

NOTE: Not all fruits are ideal for diabetes. Some of them are high in fruit sugars and carbohydrates. It’s important to check the nutrition facts of fruit before including it in your diet