The Best Diet For Diabetic Patients

By Karl Graus

The disease of diabetes is characterized by having excessive amounts of sugar, or glucose, in one's blood. Glucose levels can rise when the body is resistant to insulin, the hormone that helps cells metabolize glucose into energy, or when the pancreas fails to make enough insulin to support the body's needs. Whatever the reason, it is essential to keep control over your blood sugar levels; failure to do so could create serious health issues, including ending up in a diabetic coma. The best diet for diabetics is a topic that has caused a lot of arguments and debate.

The common conceit for people with diabetes was that they couldn't eat sugar and carbs at all, or risk serious health problems. Because sugar is very easily and quickly turned into glucose in the bloodstream, it was usually thought to be the more harmful thing for the body. Diabetic diets incorporated a variety of artificial sweeteners instead of actual sugar to cope with this problem.

And doctors are now more accepting of the fact that most diabetics will come into contact with sugar and other carbs, no matter how carefully they try to monitor their diets. While it is true that there are artificial sweeteners out there that have zero calories and no carbohydrates, that does not mean that diabetics can safely use them.

Ultimately, the diet for diabetics that should be followed is identical to a healthy diet for anyone. It's entirely possible for diabetics to eat anything they like within reason. However, this is only possible given very meticulous monitoring the amount of carbohydrates a diabetic takes in every day. Both starches and sugars are included with carbohydrates, so in addition to foods that are sweet, potatoes and pasta also should be consumed in limited quantities.

The ideal diet for a diabetic would include more fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruit and veggies contain natural sugars that can be used by the body but are just enough unlike glucose to stop them from raising the blood glucose level. In addition, they contain more fiber, which helps the body to eliminate waste better and make the person feel full so that fewer calories are consumed.

The myth that diabetic meals should be prepared separately from the rest of the family has been disproven. The fact is that the best diet for diabetics is the same as the best diet for the rest of the family. This includes many vegetables and fruits, and a balanced intake of starches and proteins, as well as the occasional fat. - 29887

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