How Does Eating Healthy Help In Managing Type 2?
Physical activity must be balanced with eating the right amount of healthy food so that blood sugar levels don't swing too high or too low. It's a delicate balance that you learn as you get to know your body's reactions better and better. As any dietician will tell you, healthy eating doesn't mean eating completely different foods or avoiding your favorite foods altogether, but it does mean including a variety of whole grain and low fat foods in your diet and cutting back on high calorie and high sugar foods and drinks. A dietician, nutritionist, diabetes educator or your doctor can create a meal plan for you to follow each day.
Here are some practical tips to follow:
- Learn how to read food labels so you can cut back on sugar and fats
- Understand how different carbohydrates in foods (like bread) impact blood sugar
- Learn what a portion size is – be sure to control portions when it comes to high calorie and high fat foods and desserts
- Eat healthy snacks as well as healthy meals
- Wait 30 minutes before having a second portion – you may not be hungry by then
- Turn off the TV during meals and snacks – concentrate on your food and you'll feel like you've eaten more
- Cut back on fast food - order a salad or a lower-fat meal from the menu instead
- Eat five to 9 fruits and vegetables a day – count them as you go
- Replace soda and juice with water
- Eat foods made of whole grain products instead of white flour
- Replace fried foods with baked foods – you'll be surprised at how good they taste
NDEP's "Eat Healthy Foods" Tip Sheet for Kids with type 2 Diabetes has useful information.
Last Updated: Tuesday March 25, 2008 08:33:12
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