Facts on Making Your Own Diabetic Meal Plan

At present, cure for diabetes is not yet possible but methods are done in order to manage and control it. The goal for management is to achieve normal glucose levels in the blood. With proper management and control, it will delay and prevent long term complications that can be experienced by the patient. To achieve normal blood glucose level, three types of method must be followed in diabetes treatment plan. One of it is dietary modification. It must be adapted based on the unique life situation of the patient. Patient education is the key to successful management.

If you are a diabetic, you must be informed of the objectives for dietary modification in your life. First of all it provides you with optimum nutrition that you need. Moreover, it assists in achieving and maintaining ideal body weight. It helps you maintain optimal control of your plasma glucose level. More importantly it assists you in preventing and delaying the development or progression of complications to which you are so prone. In addition to that, it provides you with an individualized meal pattern that is adjusted to your lifestyle.

Historically, meal plans for diabetic patients have been very low in carbohydrate but high in protein and fat. The increased risk of heart disease in diabetics and a better understanding of the metabolism of complex carbohydrates have brought about modifications of the diabetic diet.

Diabetic meal plans currently recommended are higher in carbohydrates, with 55 to 60% of the total calories coming from carbohydrates. These should be complex carbohydrates and not sugar. These meal plans are lower in protein, with 10 to 20% of the total calories from proteins of high biologic value. Fat should include 25 to 30% of the total calories. Cholesterol should be restricted and there should be a high ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fat. The ADA currently recommends that a moderate salt restriction should be considered for persons who have diabetes but no other medical problems.

For both types of diabetics, it is also important that the timing of meals and the relative proportions of carbohydrate, protein and fat be consistent from day to day. The distribution of nutrients is frequently four to six feedings, with a fairly even distribution of carbohydrate, protein and fat at each feeding. If you have type 2 diabetes and not treated with insulin or oral antidiabetic agents, you do not need to adhere as closely to the regular timing of meals and food distribution as those requiring insulin or oral antidiabetic agents.

For diabetic meal plan, cooking and preparing foods require close attention to the portion sizes and preparation methods. Meats should be baked, broiled, boiled, or stewed without the addition of gravy. All excess fat and any skin should be removed before cooking. Vegetables and cooked starchy foods should be prepared without additional creams, sauces, or fats unless these are included in your individual meal plan.

These are the important points that you must consider when making your own menu especially if you are a diabetic. If you are still having troubles about it, you can plan it together with your dietitian so that you will come up with the right meal plan based on your lifestyle.

To be able to prevent experiencing any complications of Diabetes, you must be able to plan your own diabetic diet. You need to know the information about the amount of serving, the timing of when to eat your food and most especially the type of food in your dietary modification. View http://diabetesmenu.org/ and get some vital information about Diabetes.