Snacks For Diabetics
Eating Treats – What Can Diabetics Eat On Special Occasions?
As is emphasized time and again, diet is a very important component in the management of diabetes. That is why diabetics usually have their whole diabetic meal planned out. However, this does not mean that diabetics cannot enjoy eating out during special occasions. Of course you can, but you should also bring a lot of discipline with you so that you do not end up giving in to the luscious temptations that might also bring about a sudden increase in your blood glucose levels. In order to avoid the pitfalls of eating out for persons with diabetes, here are some tips on what to eat during special festive occasions.
Overeating is one of the most common problems for diabetics who eat out in restaurants. In order to avoid this, you need to make sure that you only consume a sufficient portion of the food being served. You also have to know what to order in such events. For example, if you are eating out in an Italian restaurant, take note that most of the foods found there are not exactly diabetic-friendly because they contain lots of carbohydrates, such as pasta and bread. Aside from those, the sauces and condiments used in these pastas are high in fat. So if you come across an Italian restaurant, order pasta but limit your portion size to just about one cup. You can measure your pasta at home so that you have an idea how much one cup of pasta looks like in your plate when you eat out. Aside from pasta, you can also order baked or grilled fish. Also ask for their low-fat dressing.
For diabetics who would like to indulge in Chinese food, portion size is also very important. The thing with Chinese foods that student nutritionists will learn in class is that they have a combination of both healthy and unhealthy. Chinese cuisine contains lots of vegetables and chicken, which are considered good for diabetics, but they also have lots of rice, fried stuff, and eggs, which can adversely affect one’s blood sugar levels. If you want to eat rice, you should opt for brown rice since this is considered to be the healthiest, followed by white rice. Try to avoid fried rice as much as possible. You can also have some wonton soup and extra vegetables. To decrease the carbohydrates in your food, you can opt for less sauce.
American cuisine is probably the most sinful of all, what with its offerings of French fries, burgers, and lots of other high-fat fried foods. However, you can still enjoy American food despite your diabetes by choosing the healthier alternatives, such as grilled chicken sandwiches and salads with low-fat dressings. If you are craving for some potato, go for baked potatoes ant not French fries or chips. You can also order grilled or baked fish, especially tuna and salmon. Go easy with the dressings and the sauces.
Being a diabetic trying to stick to a healthy diabetic eating plan can be difficult, but definitely achievable. In time, you will get used to having a healthy lifestyle and eating a balanced diabetic diet. Pregnant women at risk for gestational diabetes also must follow a strict diet.
Drinks For Diabetics
Drinks For Diabetics, Keeping Hydrated With Diabetes
Hydration is very important for diabetics since this is part of their overall diet. You cannot just modify what you eat but still continue to drink sodas and alcohol in order to control your blood glucose levels. Moreover, certain drinks can have different effects on your blood sugar levels. Diabetics also tend to get thirsty a lot, since this is a part of the disease process. What a diabetic drinks is also part ion diabetic food planning, so if you are suffering from this disease, you better not only watch what you eat but what you drink as well.
Of course, water is perhaps the safest drink that a diabetic can have. Water is important for everyone, not just diabetics. If you are thirsty, this is the best way to quench your thirst, though it does nothing for your blood sugar levels. If you are both hungry and thirsty, then you can take time to concoct a drink that is both nutritious and beneficial to your blood sugar levels. These drinks, such as fruit juices, can actually take the place of your snacks since they both satisfy your hunger and thirst. It is like hitting two birds with one stone.
If you decide to mix some fruit juices, it is important to note that you still have to watch the amount that you take especially since you are a diabetic. Like what is always said, take everything in moderation, including your drinks. Fruit juices contain carbohydrates which can increase your blood sugar levels. You can have 4 ounces of juice per serving, and you can try to make orange, cranberry, or grape juice, depending on your preference. The best fruit juices are those that are freshly made, not the powdered ones which require the addition of sugar and other flavoring in the mix. You can also add lots of water so as to dilute these drinks and help keep your blood sugar levels in check.
You can also have some cola, provided you drink this in moderation. Go for carbonated beverages that are low in calories, such as Coke Zero or Diet Coke. These should be consumed far less than fruit juices, perhaps at most twice a week.
Hot beverages like milk, coffee, tea, and cocoa are okay. However, you should use low fat milk so as to make sure that there is not much sugar that goes with it. Instead of adding milk and sugar to your coffee, you can also use some low fat creamer as a substitute.
Alcohol And Diabetes
One of the most controversial drinks for diabetics is alcohol. Although alcohol does not contain carbohydrates and is unlikely to shoot up your blood sugar levels, it does contain lots of calories, about 7 kilocalories per gram of alcohol. These calories will be used by the body as energy, leaving the other carbohydrates in your bloodstream, hence increasing insulin levels and body fat. Therefore, alcohol still needs to be drunk in moderation. This also goes the same for wines and spirits.