DO:
- ENSURE A PROPER MIX OF HEALTH AND HAPPINESS: Eating is one of the most basic desires we as human beings have, and it’s one that we all can and, for the most part, do all share in. One of the most difficult things to deal with when first confronting and learning how to live with diabetes is how to strike a proper balance between food which is good for you and food which might taste good but otherwise be lacking in nutritional value. Perhaps the most important point to emphasize here is the “happiness;” however, too often his is taken to such an extreme as to deny any enjoyable food at all. Diet, and stay healthy, but remember that good health is useless without a happy life to join with it—once in a very long while, you may want to splurge, just a little.
- MAKE FRUIT, BERRIES, AND NUTS SNACK-TIME STAPLES: As sated, it’s important for you to find foods which are both nutritious and pleasing. One of the best things about these three types of food is their sheer variety; even if you’re not a fan of strawberries or cherries or what have you, chances are you’ll be able to find some kind of berry which does suit your fancy. This goes for nuts and fruits as well. What’s more, in addition to bringing variety to your diet, different fruits, berries and nuts have different benefits. Beans can be high in fiber and rich in potassium and other vital ingredients, while something like a strawberry has a different taste and different levels of fiber and other important nutrients. Oranges and tangerines are rich in Vitamin C. What’s more, fruits, berries, and nuts are all relatively portable and easy to carry around, making them ideal for snacks.
- LOOK INTO SOME FRESH FISH: Fish which are high in Omega-3 fatty acids are a popular choice in a lot of diets, and are regarded as being some of the healthiest and versatile dishes for everything from heart-smart, fat-burning and, yes, diabetic diets. Salmon is a particular favorite here. There’s a great deal of myth, legend, and religious connection with regards to fish; from their connection to the Fisher King to Gospels to later works, they are often out made out in the context of being restorative, and this is certainly borne out by the fact that they are, on the whole, highly nutritious. Salmon and similar kinds of fish are the most common in heart-smart and diabetic diets.
DON’T:
- SERVE FOODS WHICH ARE HIGH IN GLUCOSE: High glucose levels are a large part of what causes and results from diabetes. As such, you shouldn’t exacerbate this by serving foods which are high in glucose or other forms of sugar. This includes most things with sugar.
- MISTAKE “LOW GLUCOSE” FOR HEALTHY: Just because a food is low in glucose doesn’t mean that it’s good for your diabetes. In the first place, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes have some difference with regards to what constitutes a healthy diet; foods which are permissible or healthy for one type may not be OK for the other. In addition, there are other health considerations to take into consideration.
- PANIC: Above all, it’s important not to panic. Diabetes is a serious condition, and it should be treated seriously, but panicking can only bring worse heartache. There is absolutely no getting around the fact that diabetes is a terrible condition, and a serious one—but one that can be met with support from friends and family. This support, as much as any dietary supplement, is vital for a healthy, happy life.