When you have diabetes, your body does not break down food to use as energy the way it should. Maintaining a diabetes-friendly diet is more complex than just cutting carbonate. Don’ t let that deter you, though. It’ s easy to follow a friendly diet, especially if you get in the habit of meal planning.
Planning meals ahead of time
Planning your meals ahead of time may cost you more minutes in the short term, but you’ ll reap the rewards later. Getting into a routine of meal planning can save your body from health complications. Because you’ ll be skipping that takeout and those impulse purchases at the grocery store, it can also save your wallet.
As you put together your meal plans for the week, use these do’ s and don’ ts to find the best foods for you that are both tasty and diabetes-friendly. Every fruit and vegetable offers its own set of nutrients and health benefits. Try to choose fruits and vegetables in a range of colors.
Low GI and GL fruits:
Some fruits have a GI of under 55 and a GL under 10, including:
- Apples
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Berries
- Cherries
- Grapefruit
- grapes
- kiwi fruit
- Nectarines
- Orange
- Peaches
- Pears
- Plums
- strawberries
Vegetables:
Some great nonstarchy vegetables include:
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Brussels sprouts
- green beans
- Eggplant
- Asparagus
- Celery
- salad greens, such as arugula, kale, or romaine lettuce
- Carrots
- zucchini
You’ ll need to count the carbs in your fruits and starchy vegetables just as you would for any other carbohydrate food group. This doesn’ t mean you need to avoid them. Just be sure the amount you’ re eating fits into your overall meal plan.
When shopping for fruits and vegetables, look for choices that are in season to save some bucks. Shopping for foods that are in season can also be a great way to try new fruits and vegetables.
In a word, people with diabetes should take much more concern in their diet, meanwhile, their eating plan “shouldn’ t be boring,” Powers says. “It should include the foods you love with a balance of carbohydrates.” No single fruit or vegetable provides all of the nutrients you need, so choose different types and colours in order to give your body the mix of nutrients it needs.