Does a diabetic always require a consultation with a dietician?

Of course not. Nutritionists, dieticians or food therapists have outrageous consultation prices. There is no need to waste any money on these people. There is a lot of free literature on how diabetics can manage their diet on cyberspace. There is absolutely no need to pay a dietician for some common sense advice, unless you cant read.  The best website for good information on diabetes is the American Diabetes Association.

Diabetes does not mean that one cannot enjoy food. In moderation, almost all types of food can be eaten by the diabetic. No matter what diet you consume, eat less sugar and walk more.

What should I eat to control my diabetes?

 The best way to control diabetes is being smart and selecting foods that will keep not only the sugar down, but will also help to control weight gain and decrease cholesterol. This can be approached by changing to a diet with fewer calories and less fat-; this can be accomplished by eating more fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood and legumes instead of daily steak and hamburgers.

One should try to eat a healthy diet that derives at least 20-20% daily calories from protein, 30% of less from fat and the rest from carbohydrates. One should become a label-based shopper and check which foods are sugar and fat free. Some labels even mention which foods are good for the diabetic.

How much alcohol can a diabetic drink?

When it comes to alcohol, there is no rule on how much one should drink. Alcohol is known to lower sugar and so drink it with your meals. In addition, do not go overboard. One should not treat the diabetes and at the same time require treatment for alcoholism. Do be aware that brandy and some liqueurs have very high sugar content.

Can I drink alcohol if I have diabetes?

Recent studies also indicate that there is a decreased risk of diabetes with increased intake of whole grains and dietary fiber. Although few micronutrients may affect glucose and insulin metabolism, data to document their role in the development of diabetes are scant. In fact moderate amount of alcohol intake has recently been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and improve glucose control. However, recommending alcohol consumption as therapy may lead to worsening of the social problems related to alcoholism, not to mention its damaging effects on the liver.

Is there a diabetic diet you can recommend?

Proper nutrition is an integral component of diabetes management and of diabetes self-management education. Yet many misconceptions exist concerning nutrition and diabetes. Despite what everyone thinks there is no such thing as a diabetic diet.

One should reduce the intake of total fat, mainly saturated fat, which is known to worsen diabetes and make control of blood glucose difficult. Except for omega 3 fatty acids, most fats have an adverse effect on insulin action. Some dieticians recommend that intake of unsaturated fatty acids are beneficial in the long-term management of diabetes.

Can Type 1 diabetes be prevented?

Unfortunately, Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented nor can it be cured. It is a serious chronic inherited disease and the individual has to adapt to it. Diabetes is relatively easy to control but when the sugars are allowed to run high, devastating complications can occur. To avoid diabetic complications, one needs to make changes in lifestyle and eating habits- this will make one’s life a lot bearable and hassle free.