Diabetes

5 Diet tips for Diabetics to manage their Sugar Levels better

Sumita Thomas

August 4, 2023

Getty Image/ Shutterstock

Can I drink whole milk? Is white bread bad for me? Do I have to avoid everything deep-fried? If you are Diabetic, you may have probably had these questions and many more. As a Diabetic, you have to closely monitor your diet to keep blood sugar levels in check. But apart from what foods to cut out of your meal plan, it’s important you know what to include in your diet, as that can help effectively manage the condition.

Table of Contents

The basic principle of a diabetic diet is to ensure that there is a right combination of all food groups while maintaining a slow release of blood sugar post meals while incorporating all important nutrients. Here are some diet tips for diabetics :

1) Add more fibre

Fibre found in whole cereals like brown rice, whole wheat, lentils with skin, fruits and vegetables slows the rate of digestion and causes a steady release of glucose into the bloodstream. While increasing the Fibre-rich foods you must also reduce processed foods like biscuits, namkeen and white bread to a minimum. It is also advisable to snack on fruits and nuts and include a salad with both lunch and dinner. Try and have fruits and vegetables with skin, whenever possible.

2) Have sufficient protein

Protein stimulates insulin release, which in turn helps control blood sugar.Thus, it is important to include sufficient protein in your diet. If you’re a vegetarian, add Lentils with skin, nuts and seeds, and low-fat dairy to your diet. If you’re a non-vegetarian, add chicken, fish, lean cuts of red meat and eggs to your diet. It is however important that you don’t overeat these foods either.

3) Eat moderate-sized portions

Large meals will lead to excess production of glucose in the body and eventual weight gain. A golden rule for diabetics is to eat on smaller plates as this encourages small servings. Switching the TV off while eating can also help you control the amount you eat.

4) Snack healthy

Snacks are helpful in curbing hunger pangs and keeping blood sugar levels stable. Fruits, nuts, roasted chana, boiled corn, boiled sweet potato and moong chaat are some healthy and wholesome snacking options. Keep the intake of packaged food to a minimum, as they are low in essential nutrients and high in calories.

5) Keep things versatile

A diabetic diet is a long-term lifestyle change which needs to incorporate a wide variety of nutritious foods while being flexible enough to suit your taste. There are several myths associated with diabetes, one of them includes swearing off sugar and carbs, which is far from true. Clarify all your doubts by connecting with a Diabetes educator and ensure your diet is balanced and versatile.

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For Sumita Thomas, good nutrition advice is less about what NOT to eat and all about HOW to eat. Armed with a master’s degree in clinical nutrition and dietetics from IGNOU, Sumita has worked with multi-specialty clinics and corporate clients, planning calorie-specific menus for their cafeterias. She’s also a certified diabetes educator, has worked in cardiac nutrition and is even a TUV-certified internal auditor for food safety management systems. Maybe that’s why she ensures her advice is always scientifically sound, which makes her a perfect fit for us at HealthifyMe. Of the belief that a healthy lifestyle can be achieved with the combination of a healthy mind, body and diet, Sumita recommends setting realistic goals – one health target a day – and gradually incorporating healthy ingredients to your daily diet. Does she practice what she preaches? For sure, and ensures all those around her do too. So get set, because that now includes you!

One response to “5 Diet tips for Diabetics to manage their Sugar Levels better”

Violetta says:

February 10, 2016 at 11:55 pm

1. No fruit juices or sugray beverages. None. No colas or sodas. No coffee with sugar.2. No empty calorie foods. No cookies. No cakes. No pastries. No doughnuts. No potato chips. No candy.3. Look up the healthy weight range for your height. Maintain your weight at the lower end of that range.4. Eat leafy greens with every meal. About half your meal should be the leafy greens. Yum.You’re going to have to exercise. A 10-15 minute walk right after a meal is good. Every meal. Immediately after (as in, the fork goes down, the feet are moving out the door).I have type 2 diabetes and took drugs for it for years. I now manage it through diet and exercise as long as I stick to the diet and exercise, I am effectively cured.