Choosing Food
The foods you choose to eat mean more to you than just nutrition.
Foods may be associated with pleasure, comfort, family, culture and
even religion. People seem to be choosing foods more to stay
healthy and control extra weight. People are eating less
sugar, less fat, less salt and more fiber. This will help
prevent heart disease. It can help you be more healthy and
live longer.
Why should I try to eat at regular times?
Having planned meals and regular times will help you maintain your blood
sugar and your weight. Skipping meals can allow your blood sugar to go
too low and make you even more hungry later. This can cause you to overeat
at the next meal which will cause your blood sugar to go even higher.
Work toward eating three small meals and a snack every day.
Why should I chose to eat less sugar?
High sugar foods will send your blood sugar even higher. Try to
reduce the amount of high sugar foods you eat. High sugar foods are
pastry, doughnuts, desserts and so on.
Why should I try to eat less fat?
Fat is high in calories. Some types of fats will increase your
cholesterol and lead to clogged arteries. Butter, whole milk, lunch
meats and most snack foods are high in fat.
Why should I choose to eat more fiber?
Fiber in the food will help stabilize your blood sugar. Fresh fruit
and fresh vegetables are a good source of fiber. Dried beans and
oatmeal are also good sources of healthy fiber.
Why should I choose to eat less salt?
OK, so salt does not cause high blood sugar. But it does increase
blood pressure and you don't need high blood pressure on top of your
diabetes. Here is a list of some
high sodium foods.
Why should I choose to get to a reasonable weight?
Extra weight makes your blood sugar and your blood pressure
harder to control. It is important to choose to eat the foods
that can help you maintain a healthy weight.
What else can I do to lower my blood sugar?
Physical activity will lower your blood sugar by burning
calories. This will help control your weight too.
Why a meal plan?
Choosing healthful foods and becoming more physically active can
help you
- keep your blood sugar close to normal
- lower the amount of fat in your blood
- reach and keep a healthy weight
- feel more energetic
- lower your blood pressure
You can help get to these goals by choosing to eat foods that are
- lower in sugar
- lower in fat
- higher in fiber
- lower in salt
Which of these goals is most important to you right now?
What action can you start to reach your goal?