Diabetes & Dieting: Breaking Down the Myths

Did you know that 29.1 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes? Two of the biggest challenges that people living with diabetes face are: finding medication that works for them and determining a diet that they enjoy which is also diabetic friendly.

Watch our video to learn more about diabetes and dieting myths, presented by Janet Schaefer, a Certified Diabetes Educator, licensed dietitian and nutritionist.

Myths About a Diabetic Diet

What you choose to eat, how much you eat and when you eat are all important in keeping your blood glucose level in the range that your health care team recommends. But, there really aren’t many rules that you will need to follow. Will you need to make adjustments to what you eat? Probably. But your new way of eating might not require as many changes as you think.

But, how do you know what is fact or fiction when faced with diabetes and finding the right diet?

Some of the biggest myths about dieting and diabetes focuses on having to cut out sugar completely. Not only is that not necessary, but it is almost impossible to avoid eating sugar. Any food with carbohydrates converts to sugar. So foods such as fruits, whole grains, beans, or milk all contain sugar.

A diabetic who works with a certified dietician can create a meal plan that is right for their lifestyle and health.

A clinical trial can be a new option for you to manage your diabetes. Learn what a diabetes clinical trial is like.

So, what is the right meal plan for a diabetic diet?

A diabetic diet is more about your overall dietary pattern rather than obsessing over specific foods. The truth is there is room in your diet for most foods as long as you control your total gram of carbohydrates and your total caloric intake. Denying yourself your favorite foods can lead to binge eating and ultimately discouragement. While this can be different patient by patient, you can enjoy your favorite foods as long as you plan properly and not go overboard.

Taking steps to control your diabetes doesn’t mean living in deprivation.

 Let’s discuss a few tips to help you control your diabetes and put pleasure back into your meals.

Tip One: Compare Carbohydrates

Research shows that it’s the total amount of carbohydrates in a meal or a snack that most affects blood glucose levels. Not whether the source of the carbohydrate is starch or sugar.

Tip Two: Proper Portions

Try this trick. Divide your dinner with half with non-starchy vegetables and split the other half into two quarters. Fill one quarter with lean protein, such as chicken, turkey, fish or lean beef. Then fill the other portion with a grain or a starch.  

Tip Three: Timing

To keep glucose and weight under control it’s best not to skip meals. Try to eat every four to five hours.

 Your diabetic diet is a healthy plan to help you gain control of your blood sugar and live a healthy, satisfied life.

Final Tip: Consider Diabetes clinical trials

Diabetes clinical trials are one way, to help you gain control of your diabetes.