Those of us who are looking to lose weight, have any number of different diet plans to choose from. There is literally a plan to suit every body type, plans specifically suited for men or women, low-carb, low-fat, and the list goes on and on. What you rarely, if ever, see though, is a plan that is designed for the diabetic community.
A good diabetic diet should try to remove the restrictions that show up in most diabetic diet meal plans, and instead should focus on a healthy eating plan consisting of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish and whole grains. In medical terms, a diabetic diet is referred to as medical nutrition therapy (MNT), and recommends that the dieter keeps their mealtimes on a regular schedule each and every day, with moderate rather than large meals at each time.
Getting started on a diabetic diet meal plan
It used to be as simple as checking out the Food Guide Pyramid, but in recent years the American Diabetic Association have moved away from that, and are now recommending the plate method of designing your meals. This may seem like a bit of a chore if you have become accustomed to the Food Pyramid, but the plate method is actually very straightforward.
The idea is to divide your plate into three sections; one large, two small.
The largest area should be filled with non-starchy vegetables such as spinach carrots, broccoli or turnips; there are a whole variety of these other than the ones mentioned, so don’t restrict yourself. Now it’s time to fill up the two smaller sections, so in the first one, add starchy foods like whole grain breads, potatoes, green peas or snack chips. The final small section is for your meats, meat substitutes or fish, and you can choose such items as skinless chicken, tuna and lean cuts of beef or pork. For a drink, go with non or low-fat milk, and you can also add a “treat” such as yogurt or a 1/2 cup of fruit.
The number of available foods in each of the three spots on your plate means that there are a whole bunch of food combinations available to you that will help keep your meals new and fresh; you really are only limited by your imagination, and it can be fun to come up with new combinations that you haven’t tried before. When making your food choices, be sure to stay away from any foods that are processed or high in trans-fat, opting instead for foods rich in fiber and vitamins.
Diabetic Diet Meal Plan – Get It Approved
As is the case with any diabetic diet meal plan, you should always consult your doctor before starting, but, once approved, you will find that MNT will help you reach your goals, and is actually a diet plan that you can share with your non-diabetic friends and family, as the ingredients listed are healthy for all.