Diabetes and Meal Planning
For people with diabetes, meal planning takes on a new importance. The food you eat has a significant effect on your current and future well-being. Eating an appropriate diet means eliminating or reducing certain types of foods that can contribute to or worsen your diabetes. It means counting carbohydrates, because they have the greatest influence on your blood glucose levels.
One of the first things you’ll want to do is track your food intake and activity levels to see how they affect your blood sugar levels. This information will guide you in adjusting the quantity and types of foods you eat, how much you exercise, and the amount and frequency of your required diabetes medication. Achieving the correct relationship between all factors will help you to control your blood sugar, which is crucial for diabetics.
Your ultimate goal is to develop a meal plan that ensures you regularly eat well-balanced meals on a regular schedule. In doing so, you will benefit by leveling your blood pressure, controlling your blood glucose levels, reducing your cholesterol, fulfilling your nutritional needs, and maintaining a healthy body weight.
What is a good meal plan?
A person with diabetes can eat pretty much the same foods everyone else eats. However, more attention should be paid to reducing carbohydrates in your diet as these affect your blood glucose more than other foods. The key is to eat them in moderation. Read product labels to see how many grams of carbs are in a serving and limit your serving size for that food.
Carbohydrate-rich foods to watch are:
- Starchy vegetables (corn, potatoes, peas, beans and others)
- Dairy foods (milk, ice cream, yogurt)
- Baked goods (bread, crackers, cereals)
- Pasta, rice, grains
- Fresh, canned and dried fruit, and fruit juices
- Sugary foods (soft drinks, sherbet, cake, cookies, pies, candy)
- Alcoholic drinks and drink mixes (beer, wine)
Use the food exchange method to ensure proper nutrition
A technique that will help ensure you get adequate nutrition is called food exchanging. In short, it’s simply a way to minimize unwanted foods and still get the nutrients they provide. The six exchange groups are:
- starches and breads
- meat and meat by-products
- fruits
- vegetables
- milk
- fats
You can exchange any food serving in one group for another. For instance, in the meat and meat by-products category, you can swap one meat for low-fat or non-fat cottage cheese or white skinless chicken or turkey. Ensure that you eat foods from each of these six groups to be sure you get a complete and balanced diet.
Avoid or reduce the following foods:
Salt: Excess salt (sodium) can cause high blood pressure which damages blood vessels and the heart. Foods that contain hidden and often high quantities of salt include fast foods, cheese, soy sauce, canned goods, salad dressings and prepared foods.
Sugar: While sugar doesn’t raise blood glucose any more than do potatoes, rice and pasta, the foods containing sugar generally contain large quantities of carbohydrates and fats. If your favourite foods are too tempting, simply keep your portion size small to minimize your sugar and carbohydrate intake.
Alcohol: Alcohol can trigger a drop in blood sugar and cause hypoglycemia. Alcohol is best consumed with a meal or a snack to minimize this possibility.
These are just some of the things to keep in mind when putting together your meal plans. A dietitian can assist you in developing a suitable program to manage your diabetes. Once you understand what to avoid, you can enjoy healthy, nutritious meals that will keep you at a healthy body weight and your diabetes in check.
Find out how others are winning the diabetes battle! Get cutting-edge diabetes tips you can use right now. Visit http://www.helpforyourdiabetes.info to learn more.
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June 28th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
This really works for me, especially for faster metabolism, lower cholesterol and joint pain
Here is a brief description of the MonaVie 19 ingredients
Ingredient #1 Acai Berry
A very powerful fruit and the crown jewel in the Mona Vie formula, acai berry can be found only high atop towering palm trees in the lush Amazon Rain Forest of South America. A recent study held at Gainesville Florida proved that Acai kills 86 percent of leukemia cells in a lab test. Mona Vie is a potent new juice blend of 19 fruits with its main ingredient the Acai berry. Mona Vie comes in 2 different formulations — Original containing the 19 fruits with the Acai berry, and Mona Vie Active which adds Celadrin and Glucosamine to help promote flexibility and joint health.
Ingredient #2 Acerola Cherries
Almost nothing else in nature produces vitamin C like the “cherries” of the acerola! It has been used for such varied uses as an astringent for healing wounds and tissue, reducing inflammation, reducing a fever, and as both a diuretic and renal stimulant. The acerola cherry is known for helping diabetes, rheumatism, and heart disease.
Ingredient #3 Apricots
This is one of the worlds most amazing fruit. Apricots are known to build strong teeth, fight bacteria and infections, repair damaged tissues, build strong young looking teeth, and improves vision. Apricots provide a rich assortment of antioxidants and are abundant with soluble fiber, beta-carotene, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, potassium and Vitamin C. They also include a natural salicylate - the major ingredient in aspirin. Other useful effects of apricots are stabilizing blood pressure and preventing strokes.
Ingredient #4 Aronia (black chokeberry)
This fruit is originated from the Yucatan. Aronia juice contains very high levels of anthocyanins and flavonoids-five to ten times higher than cranberry juice. Its beneficial nutrients such as antioxidants, polyphenols, minerals and vitamins are believed to include compounds that specifically important for a healthy immune system. Aronia also contains important trace minerals, and it has been used as an anti-diabetic food.
Ingredient #5 Banana
Bananas are a great source of potassium, & tons of natural minerals. They are also known to reduce your appetite.
Ingredient #6 Bilberries
The Bilberry is a close relative of the blueberry and is noted for strengthening of the capillaries of the eye. Bilberry is already widely noted for slowing of age-related macular degeneration, night blindness, diabetes-related eye disorders and helps with cataracts Bilberries can also help prevent a wide variety of bodily problems including bruising, fatigue, coughing, diabetes, diarrhea, gout, glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcers, hemorrhoids, and amenorrhea (absence of menstruation).
Ingredient #7 Camu Camu or Rumberry
The Camu Camu berry is the planet’s richest source of natural Vitamin C. Its content has been measured as 30-60 times higher than an equal amount of citrus fruit. The Camu Camu berry is legendary for its powers to strengthen the immune system and repair connective tissue. Camu Camu is great for treatment of the common cold and generally supporting the immune and nervous systems. It is also an excellent agent for detoxification, especially for liver detox. The respiratory system, including the lungs, sinuses, and nasal passages all benefit from this natural fruit, as does the heart and all of the circulatory system.
Ingredient #8 Cranberries
Cranberries are rich in many phytonutrients and proanthocyanidins (PAC’s) - found to prevent the adhesion of certain bacteria associated with urinary tract infections to the urinary tract wall. These antiadhesion properties are also thought to inhibit the bacteria associated with gum disease and stomach ulcers. In addition, cranberries can serve as a powerful antibiotic, fighting both E. Coli and H. Pylori. This fruit also reduces gum disease and stomach ulcers occuring especially in dental health.
Ingredient #9 Kiwi Fruit
Kiwi fruit contains ample amounts of phytonutrients, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, trace minerals and dietary fiber. This fruit helps build your immune system up and assist in respiration problems such as breathing and colds. Kiwi is also known for protecting DNA against free radicals and cleansing the colon from toxins.
Ingredient #10 Lychee Fruit
The lychee is native to low elevations in Southern China. Cultivation spread over the years through neighboring areas of southeastern Asia and reach the United States in the late 1800″s. Lychee fruit helps prevent blood clots, severe cell damage, reduces strokes, cuts heart attack patients into 50% lower chance. At 72mg of vitamin C per 100 grams of flesh, lychees are a very good source for this essential vitamin, as well as potassium and other nutrients.
Ingredient #11 Nashi Pear
This fruit is from Korea and some small parts of Japan. This was at one time known as the Korean fruit & Japanese fruit of miracles. This fruit is used to cleanse your oral & nasal cavities from existing bacterias and other types of mucous membranes.Once reserved as a food to be served only to the wealthy and to Chinese nobles, Nashi pears have been grown, cultivated and eaten for centuries. Nashi pears are a great source of dietary fiber, and they’re also very high in potassium and other essential minerals. They contain nearly 10% of the USRDA for Vitamin C, and a high concentration of folates, which make up the Vitamin B complex group. These vitamins are essential for metabolic activity and red blood cell production.
Ingredient #12 Passion Fruit
Passion fruit can be found in Brazil, and some of south Florida. Passion fruit contains high levels of Vitamin A & Vitamin C which is also a great source of Potassium. This fruit is known to relax the body and mind from stress. Helps with sleep during the night and also contains natural iron. This fruit is an excellent source for dietary fibers. The only fruit that allows you to wake up feeling fully rested. Passion fruit is also rich in vitamins and mineral including: calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and B Vitamins. The legend of passion fruit dates back to Biblical time, and its modern day uses include: promoting sleep, calming anxiety and addressing hyperactivity in children.
Ingredient #13 Pear
Pears are great for your body they contain high natural vitamins such as potassium and riboflavin. Pears are great for your skin, and have great fiber content. Potassium is used to keep your good cells alive in your body so you won’t get sick as much. Potassium used in a diet also increases nerve activity, muscle growth, helps with muscle contractions, maintaining body fluid & electrolytes. Pears provide antioxidant protection and ensure cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol, regulating blood sugar levels, increasing capillary strength and stabilizing metabolism. Pears also protect vision and fight against macular degeneration as well as support nerve transmission, aid tissue repair, and promote bowel regularity.
Ingredient #14 Blueberries
Blueberries are an antioxidant powerhouse. They contain large amounts of health-promoting phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and phenolics, currently being studied for their antioxidant benefits. Besides antioxidants, blueberries contain condensed tannins, and they offer a great lineup of nutrients like potassium and iron, as well as being an excellent source of Vitamin C.
Ingredient #15 Pomegranate
Studies show that pomegranate juice is one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants, containing more polyphenol antioxidant than any other drink. Pomegranate juice contains more antioxidants than even red wine, green tea, blueberry juice, cranberry juice or orange juice. It has been shown to be highly effective in clearing plaque from inner arterial walls. MonaVie contains pomegranate juice because of its ability to help bodily function and to prevent disease and viruses from interrupting normal body operation. Pomegranate is also helpful in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, regulating blood pressure, preventing heart attacks and strokes, as well as preventing cancers, diabetes, and intestinal problems.
Ingredient #16 Prunes
Prunes are dried plums, rich in minerals and phenols, plus they have an extremely high ORAC value. The drying process actually increases antioxidant powers by more than six times! USDA researchers believe that people of all ages can prevent and treat diseases of aging by simply adding prunes to their diets. Prunes contain 15% Vitamin A, 10% dietary fibers, 10% potassium, 10% copper, and only 6% calories. Prunes are able to boost bone density, cleanse the bowels, and prevent against cardiovascular disease. Prunes are also known or their abilities to cleanse the liver, prevent against both Alzheimer’s and memory loss, and fight off infections in the body. There is also evidence that prunes may be responsible for reducing cholesterol in humans and also for reducing the risk of developing an estrogen-dependent cancer.
Ingredient #17-18 Grapes - Purple / White
Grapes are another source of antioxidants and are also effective at fighting off bacterial and viral infections, and reducing inflammations. Grapes are also known to improve cardiovascular health by aiding in the improvement of arterial flexibility. The purple grape naturally helps with concentration, brain functions, hyper tension, arteries, hypertension usually occurs from high blood pressure.
Ingredient #19 Wolfberry
For thousands of years in China, the Wolfberry has been known as “the herb of longevity.” It provides a powerful combination of antioxidants and polysaccharides, shown to enhance the activity of the immune system. Wolfberry also provides eighteen amino acids and twenty-one trace minerals. Wolfberries aid the removal of headaches, as well as the regulation and lowering of high blood pressure. The wolfberries found within MonaVie drinks also help battle chronic fatigue, arthritis, and insomnia.
Health & Harmony,
Lisa>>> lisadeb1989@gmail.com
Get it wholesale for yourself:
http://www.mymonavie.com/ldevito/science_monavie.asp