Diabetic Diet

What exactly is a good diabetic diet? It is diet specifically tailored to the needs of the individual. It is customary for a person diagnosed with diabetes to meet with a registered dietitian to discuss an appropriate diabetic diet.

One of the changes you may notice when planning your diabetic diet is greatly decreased alcohol. This has to do with the liver; when your blood sugar drops, your liver "kicks in", changing carbohydrates into glucose. The glucose is then sent out into the blood stream, avoiding a low blood sugar reaction. However, when alcohol is introduced into your system, your liver treats it as a poison and devotes all its efforts toward ridding your body of the toxin. If your glucose level drops your liver will not be able to help. For this reason limited alcohol is a large part of a diabetic diet.

Another change you may notice that is common to a diabetic diet is eating more often. Eating at consistent intervals, which includes regular healthy snacks, will help your body to keep glucose levels regulated.

Exercise will likely be included in your diabetic diet. Regular exercise also helps the body regulate blood sugar. As always, before beginning an exercise program speak with your physician. You may want to include your dietitian in this conversation for input on appropriate snacks before or after exercising.

A diabetic diet is not a bad thing. You will be learning to live a healthier lifestyle and you will feel better doing it. It is possible to live a good life with diabetes. A diabetic diet will help you do that. Don't give up; live on; live full.