Diabetes Food Does Not Have to be Boring

Life of a diabetic is not easy. Diabetics should always be aware of all the threats and constantly watch out for what they eat. In terms of their diet it is like existing in the state of permanent prohibition. The list of dangerous products is long. Diabetes means lots of restrictions - that is a fact, but fortunately there are some ways for diabetics to make it a bit easier for themselves. It doesn’t mean that all the danger can be eliminated, but there are some special products on the and there are some rules that, when followed, can really improve the quality of life of diabetics. All it takes is to find some time and conduct a research that may put some light on both: the nutrition rules and product range and uncover those mysterious sources of culinary joy for people suffering from diabetes. Every research should start with a brief market situation analysis, so I hope that this article will be a helpful base to start with.  

But first things first. Let’s quickly run through all the prohibited things before the good stuff reveals its secrets. So, diabetics definitely should not consume flour-based food fried on oil or other fat like pancakes or pastry. Fatty, yellow and mildew cheeses are also forbidden. Also pork fat, lard, bacon, suet, and the all the fats that in the room temperature have solid form are blacklisted. Generally amongst meats fatty meats are forbidden such as pork, giblets, mutton, pâtés, geese, ducks and liver. Such spices like vinegar, bouillon cubes and hot pepper should also be avoided. Sugar is a very dangerous enemy of a diabetic – it means that no honey, jam, marmalade, syrup, chocolate, sparkling soda (which can be called a 7% solution of sugar) is allowed. Alcohol, black coffee and strong tea can only be drunk in limited quantities.  

Fortunately, modern diet of a diabetic doesn’t have to be as strict as it used to be in the past. And it can be more fun than ever. Many rules have been verified. However, two rules have always been and still are principal. What are those rules? First of all, it is crucial to stick to the right pattern of selection of basic nutrition elements: carbohydrates, fats and protein. The carbs should provide circa 50-60%, fats 20-30% and protein 10-20% of entire diet’s energy load. So, carbohydrates should be dominating the plate of the diabetic. Of course not all of them – sugar is a carbohydrate, too. Where to look for the good carbs? Low carb bread" (or the alternative like low carb pita bread), pasta, grits, potatoes and of course vegetables and fruits. Nowadays you have a wide choice of tasty ready-made products that are officially certified as diabetes foods. I came across high fiber pita bread approved by the Glycemic Research Institute as food for diabetics. The second rule is to avoid fat – visible and invisible. It is good to always choose low fat products. Read the nutrition info! It can be difficult to provide all the necessary elements, even if the diet is professionally prepared. There’s nothing wrong in using some nutrition supplements that will cover eventual lack of vitamins.

Diabetes doesn’t mean starvation. Here’s the list of products that can be eaten by diabetics.

From time to time:

- wheat bread or low carb pita bread       

- fat-free baked toasts       

- cooked  dumplings        

- grits       

- yoghurt       

- tea with milk (no sugar!)       

- beef, veal, ham       

- low fat fish       

- cooked potatoes       

- pears, bananas, grapes, dried fruits

No limits on:       

- asparagus, cabbage       

- cauliflower, broccoli       

- cucumbers       

- spinach       

- tomatoes, carrots       

- onion

And many more…