Diabetes is a common disease that affects millions of adults and children worldwide. It is characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood, which, if left untreated, can lead to additional serious health complications, some of which are life-threatening. When the disease is well managed, the sufferers can live a healthy, active and long life. Proper management includes exercising regularly, using of appropriate medications and following the right type of diabetic menu and dietary routines. panera diabetic menu
In the beginning, when diabetes is first diagnosed in a person, the establishment of a suitable diabetic diet and diabetic menu is usually the responsibility of the supervising doctor and health care team, often with the assistance of a qualified dietician.
But diabetes is a life long condition, there is no cure, and over time, specific diabetic menu items can become less favored and replaced by others. This means that the diabetic person should be familiar with the basic guidelines of what constitutes an acceptable diabetic menu that meets the dietary objectives of keeping blood sugar levels to as close to normal as possible.
When a proper diabetic menu is combined with exercise and appropriate medications, the blood sugar levels are more likely to remain close to the normal range. Contrary to common belief, diabetes sufferers do not need to eat special foods or be excluded from what others are eating. The most important thing is to eat smaller portions throughout the day and to eat a balanced diet that provides the right amounts, but not excessive amounts, of calories. A secondary objective of a diabetic menu would be to achieve weight loss or the maintenance of weight at a healthy level.
Healthy menus usually list a variety of foods that are low in salt and fat and are high in fiber. They also stress whole foods instead of processed foods where possible and practical. In general, it is advised to embrace a balanced diet with more plant foods, low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry and lean meats. The food items can be made tastier where needed, by the use of healthy seasonings such as olive oil.
The diabetic menus should have a number of healthy meals and small snacks spread throughout the day. Foods that are high in carbohydrates should be eaten in smaller quantities. By spacing out the eating times evenly, it is possible to keep the blood sugar levels from becoming too high or too low.
Menus for main dish, side dish, salads, desserts, snacks and appetizers can be constructed. It is advisable to eat lean meats such as fish, skinless chicken or turkey. Fat free and low fat dairy products are also ideal, plus vegetables that have low starch. Such vegetables may include cabbage, tomatoes, beets, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, peppers, broccoli and onions.
The menus should also contain some fruits with low starch content such as melons, apples, strawberries, blueberries and oranges. Some good starches in the right proportions could also be used. They include potatoes, corn, pumpkin, squash, whole rye, popcorn, oats, whole wheat, beans, peas and lentils.
In conclusion
Managing diabetes is possible with regular exercises, appropriate medication plus following the right diabetic menu. The American Diabetes Association and other medical institutions provide guidelines and sample meal plans from which an individual's sets of diabetic menus can be assembled and there is also much helpful additional information available from those same sources.
Author's Comments:
Jim Robinson, the author of this article, was diagnosed as having type-2 diabetes more than 20 years ago. The experience gained as a diabetic patient has provided an insight and understanding of the problems that many fellow diabetics face, especially those who have difficulty in controlling their blood glucose levels in spite of their best efforts to do so.