Type 2, or adult-onset, diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It develops when either the body ceases to make enough insulin, or the cells of the body develop a resistance to insulin. When this occurs, the sugar your body needs for energy stays in the blood instead of being used by the cells. This can cause damage to your eyes, nerves, kidneys and heart over time.

People with type 2 diabetes are required to lead a healthy eating lifestyle in order to keep their blood sugar levels in control. A healthy type 2 diabetes diet should provide your body with enough time for food processing. The following shows a healthy type 2 diabetes diet plan.

Choose vegetables and fruits often as a part of your diet. Fruits and vegetables are nutrient- and fiber-rich and contain less carbohydrates. Choices like green beans, cucumbers and broccoli, and spinach or kale have relatively little starch or sugar and are best.

When eating grains always choose whole, unprocessed, grain foods over those that are highly processed. Be certain that you read the label as many products that claim to be whole-grain will contain processed grains. One benefit of whole grains is that they release their sugars slower than processed grains, this helps to even out blood sugar levels. Also, they contain more vitamins and minerals than processed grains.

Avoiding high fat and properly balancing your sugar and starch consumption against your protein consumption are key to a good diabetic diet plan. Adding fish to your weekly diet and sticking to leaner cuts of beef and pork can lead to a healthier diet. Poultry should be prepared without its skin to reduce fat. Vegetarian protein sources such as lentils and beans can also be substituted as a healthy alternative to meat.

Try to reduce high calorie drinks and snaps. Cookies, chips, candy and cake can spike blood glucose and make it difficult to handle for the body. Soft drinks usually contain a lot of sugar and little nutrition, so choose low calorie alternatives or drink water.

It is possible to have too much of a good thing! Your type 2 diabetes diet should include watching your portion sizes and balancing your intake. At your meals, make sure half of your plate is filled with non-starchy vegetables. The other half should be split between your protein (such as meat, fish or tofu) and whole grains, pasta, potatoes, corn or peas. This will help ensure balanced nutrition.

The recommended diet for diabetics balances sugar and starch intake with healthy, nutritious foods. Your type 2 diabetes diet can help you avoid the worst damage to your body and maintain wellness for a long and healthy life. Choosing well means living well!

 

A type 2 diabetes diet is important to follow for people who have been diagnosed with adult onset diabetes. Diabetic diet plans need to be low fat and balance sugar and starches against protein. This helps to even out blood sugar levels, and allows the body to process the sugars more efficiently. A person with type 2 diabetes should reduce their intake of high calorie drinks and snacks, as these foods contain mostly fat and sugars. Fruits and vegetables are an important part of the recommended diet for diabetics. Whole grain foods are also important, in addition to low fat protein sources.

 

Source: Mark Green