• Originally published November 9, 2009 at midnight, updated November 10, 2009 at 4:35 p.m.

November is American Diabetes month. It is important to take this time and reflect on the meaning of this month.

Ask yourself these questions: Are you at risk for diabetes? Have you been tested?

Are you newly diagnosed with diabetes? Have you received the proper information to help control your diabetes?

If you have diabetes, are your blood sugars in control?

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney damage, cardiovascular disease and amputations. It is important to realize that there are many people who have diabetes and are not aware that they have it.

Once a person gets the diagnosis of diabetes, the confusion of what to eat begins. There are times when the confusion leads to frustration.

The purpose of this article is to provide some basic meal planning guidelines to help clear up the initial confusion.

However, these meal planning guidelines can not take the place of attending a diabetes class or having a one-on-one visit with a registered dietitian.

The most important thing is to develop routine meal times and not skip meals. Eat regular meals at about the same time each day, and space meals evenly throughout the day.

Understand that carbohydrate foods affect the blood sugar the most. Carbohydrate foods are bread, starches, fruit and milk/yogurt. You should not avoid these foods, but you should be aware of how much you are eating. It is important to spread your carbohydrate servings throughout the day and not eat a large amount of carbohydrate at one meal.

Limit foods high in sugar. Use sugar-free beverages. Make water your main beverage choice.

Limit fat intake. Try to eat fried food less often. Trim the fat off of meat and skin off of poultry before cooking. Bake, broil and grill meats. Eat less of high-fat meats, such as sausage, chorizo, hot dogs, bologna, salami and bacon. Limit the use of regular salad dressing, cheese, sauces and gravies.

Choose foods that are high in fiber, such as whole-grain breads, dry cereals, crackers and oatmeal. Increased fiber helps control blood sugar. Do not forget to eat your fruit and vegetables. Fresh fruit and vegetables contain more fiber than the juice. Dried beans (pinto, kidney, black), peas and lentils are excellent sources of fiber. Remember that as you increase your fiber intake to increase your fluid intake.

Use less salt. Realize that canned food and convenience food are high in sodium.

One of the most important things you can do to manage your diabetes is to be physically active, which will help you lose weight. However, make sure you talk to your physician before starting an exercise program.

For more information about diabetes go to www.diabetes.org

Loretta Cordes is a registered and licensed dietitian with a master's of science degree in human sciences and certified diabetes educator. Send questions or comments to dietitians@vicad.com.

• Print
• •
• Share
  • Share this item

    Send this to a friend

    Share on FaceBook

  • Grab the link

    Copy and paste the link:

  • Blog about it

    Blog about this page.

  • Close
• •
• Post a Comment
• •
• Favorite
• •
• Report error
  • Thank you for your submission.
    Error report or correction

    Contact name (optional) Contact phone/e-mail (optional)  

    
  • Close
• •