It used to be that people thought that they couldn't eat their favorite foods anymore once they were diagnosed with diabetes. That's not necessarily the case. A healthy meal plan for diabetes should include a lot of variety. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein, and dairy are all part of a well-balanced diet.
Even though what you eat has a lot to do with diabetes management, it's okay to include some sweet foods. Portions do need to be controlled and the foods should be planned for, either by adjusting insulin doses, if you are on insulin, or by checking your blood glucose levels, and adjusting choices and portions according to your results.
Finding out what foods make your blood glucose go too high can be a "trial and error" process of eating a certain food and then testing 1-2 hours after, to see what the effect will be. Over time you will learn which foods raise glucose and which don't.
A nutritionist or dietician can help you figure out what to include in your meal plan, based on your preferences, your body's response to carbs and how many calories you need on a daily basis. If you need to lose weight, your total calorie requirements for the day may be lower than you are used to. Including a few sweets and treats into your plan may help you stick to your plan for the long haul.
More from your diabetes guide...
Photo courtesy of Catherine Ledner/Getty Images
