Proper diet is very important for people suffering from diabetes. It is recommended that the diet of a diabetes patient should be high in fiber and low in fat. Diabetes diet is not a special food that is packaged by a pharmaceutical company and can be purchased off the shelf. Neither is it a complicated dieting plan. It is just a healthy eating habit which emphasizes on fruits, vegetable and whole grains. Diabetes diet can also be practiced by healthy people who want to lead a healthy lifestyle.

History Of Diabetes Diet

During the early days before the discovery of insulin, doctors would recommend diabetes patient to consume a low-calorie diet. It is more to prevent ketoacidosis, which is caused by high concentrations of ketone bodies. This was due to the breakdown of amino acids and deamination of amino acids by our body. The low-calorie diet didn't actually cure diabetes but it did prolong the life of the patient quite a bit.

Establish A Good Eating Habit

You should establish a regular eating habit for your meals and snacks. As far as possible, avoid ad hoc eating habit because it is difficult to control what goes into your stomach. Always eat the healthiest food in the right amount. Excessive amounts are also not good for the body.

If you are taking diabetes medication or insulin, your eating habits will have to be stricter. Eat only the right amount of servings from each food group. You could talk to your doctor if you have difficulty with your diabetes diet. He will probably recommend a dietitian who can tailor your diabetes diet to your lifestyle.

Carbohydrates In Your Diabetes Diet

The American Diabetes Association recommends that carbohydrates should form 60% to 70% of the total caloric intake. This is somewhat controversial because some studies have suggested a low carbohydrate diet. It is best to work out your diabetes diet with your dietitian. Try to plan your diabetes diet to have the same amount of carbohydrate at each mealtime to maintain an ideal blood sugar level right through the day.

Exchange List In Diabetes Diet

The "exchange scheme" was introduced in the 1950 by the American Diabetes Association. The purpose or intent is to allow patients to swap or exchange food of the same caloric value with another of similar value. For example, you may eat more cake and reduce on the potatoes at dinner time. The exchange list is not so popular with current dietitians. They are more likely to introduce diabetes diet that includes a wide range of fruit, vegetables and one that has a high fibre content and low in sugar and saturated fat.

Conclusion

To minimize the risk of diabetes complication, we must practice a healthy eating habit. This is the most logical way to maintain an ideal blood sugar level. Your diabetes diet need not be bland and boring. You could include your favorite food by balancing it with other healthy nutritious items. Be creative at your meal plan and at the same time mindful of the effects it brings to your diabetes diet.

Diabetes affects 21 Million Americans and claims 240 million victims worldwide. Type 2 Diabetes is the biggest portion of those at 95 %.

Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism--the way our bodies use digested food for growth and energy. Most of the food we eat is broken down into glucose, the form of sugar in the blood. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body.

After digestion, glucose passes into the bloodstream, where it is used by cells. For glucose to get into cells, insulin must be present. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach.

In people with diabetes, however, the pancreas either produces little or no insulin as in type 1, or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced as in type 2.

Ask any person with type 2 Diabetes what their biggest problem is and I think you will get nearly a unanimous agreement-CONTROL.

Ask any medical profession and they will tell you that diet, weight loss and exercise are the three best things you can do to get control of your type 2 diabetes-and control is essential to a good quality of life. It is that simple.

• WATCH WHAT YOU EAT. Less carbs, more fresh veggies, no alcohol. If you need more help there are tons of books out there and you can always talk to a dietitian.

• EXERCISE. Exercise at least 20 preferably 30 minutes a day. Aerobics or weight training or a combination. It is great to do it all at once to get your heart rate up but you can split it up. The important thing is to do it religiously.

• LOSE SOME WEIGHT. If you diligently watch what you eat and exercise daily you will lose some weight. A loss of even ten pounds will do wonders.

If you have type 2 Diabetes like millions of Americans and millions more world wide, gaining control of your blood sugars is a never ending struggle. These three pillars will help you get and keep control. You'll lead a better and longer life and avoid some of the serious complications.