Diabetes diet, here’s everything you should include during your meal times

If there’s one thing a diabetic is asked to be mindful about, it is his diet. This is because diabetes as a condition can be easily managed with the right kind of diet.

Diabetes is caused by damage to pancreas. Pancreas performs many functions in digestion of food and secretion of insulin. Insulin helps absorb glucose and the level of glucose absorption determines whether a person is diabetic or no.

So, what should one eat to make sure that they keep symptoms of diabetes at bay. According to Naina Singhania of thefitnesity.in, a diabetic person needs to eat at regular intervals and have the most balanced diet possible. “Include all proteins, complex carbs, vitamins, minerals and essential fats. So, lots of mushrooms, moong, dal, milk, tofu, chicken, fish and eggs.” A diabetic person should also include good fats from nuts like almond, walnuts and from seeds like pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and flaxseeds.

Meals for diabetic patients

According to Dr Rinki Kumari, chief dietician, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore, “Fill half plate with non-starchy vegetables. Round out the meal with other healthy choices — whole grains, nuts and seeds, lean protein, fat-free or low-fat dairy, and small portions of fresh fruits and healthy fats.” This is the ideal meal composition for diabetes.

It is also important to understand how different foods affect blood sugar. It is best to pick foods with low glycemic index. Here’s a helpful guide to eating the right kind of fruits for people with diabetes.

“Some of the best foods for diabetes also includes oatmeal, sweet potatoes, brown rice and millets,” says Singhania. She also adds that green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, cabbage and broccoli help prevent various deficiencies.

Is there anything that a diabetic person should avoid? Kumari says, “Diabetic patients should avoid packaged food. They should ensure that they always check the labels to look for added sugar.”

Being diabetic doesn’t mean you have to give up on things you love, but it means maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating in moderation.

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