A Diabetic Diet – Healthy For Everyone: Something that concerns many newly diagnosed diabetics is that, in many cases, they will be required to alter their eating habits. They almost always envision the creation of two menus for every meal within the family. One meal would be for the diabetic and another meal created for everyone else.
It is worthwhile to note that a diet that is healthy for a diabetic will also be a diet that is healthy for every member of your family whether they have diabetes or not.
Perhaps it is possible to allow your family to join with you in dietary changes. Family support can allow you to gain confidence in cooking diabetic meals and not feel as if you are somehow deprived of the food the rest of your family is enjoying.
Sure, expect some complaints at first, but your alternations can move to create new family traditions and an improved family diet. Your health goals can extend to other family members.
Consider this.
- Your efforts at managing your disease could result in altering the health future of other members of your family.
- While it may seem restrictive a change in diet can lead to better habits in as little as seventeen days.
- Exploring new seasonings and herbs can allow you to add significant taste to the dishes you prepare.
DiabetesHealth.com suggests a few positive ideas for breakfast that don’t seem especially restrictive.
- Plain yogurt or carbohydrate-controlled flavored yogurt with sliced almonds
- Whole grain toast or waffle with peanut butter
- Cooked eggs with avocado, black bean or salsa
- Cottage cheese and tomatoes or fruit
- Soft tacos made with corn tortillas heated with leftover fish and vegetables
- Turkey and tomato or cheese and avocado wrapped in lettuce or in a sandwich
- Fresh-cooked turkey sausage with sautéed vegetables
- Quesadilla (low-carb tortilla and cheese) with added vegetables
- French toast with ricotta cheese and sugar free syrup
Some lunch items that you can consider include…
- Deli meats and cheeses
- Canned fish such as salmon and tuna packed in water or olive oil
- Cooked rotisserie chicken
- Turkey
- Fresh vegetables such as dark leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, cucumbers, celery, asparagus, colorful cabbage and peppers
It should be noted that some sugar can be acceptable in the life of the diabetic, but this should be very rare and fit within your goals for glucose levels. Additionally, using oils that are unsaturated (i.e. olive oil) can be a good way to add extra taste without adding the saturated fats that are not helpful to diabetics.
You can make a variety of taste tempting meals that will satisfy your health goals and may be appealing to the rest of your family. Some may resist the change and you may need to create two separate meals, but you may be surprised to find there are family members who may be willing to support you in your dietary goals.
It may also surprise your family to learn that your new diet is not one that benefits you alone. For instance there are some dietary guidelines that are specific to a condition and should not be considered safe for every family member. A diabetic diet is helpful to everyone in your family. It cuts down on processed food products, it promotes a healthy intake of vegetables and fruit and it manages an appropriate amount of animal protein.
If they try it – they might just like it.
