Do I need to see a nutritionist if I am diabetic?

Only if you can’t read and do not have a PC at home. If you have diabetes, there is ample information online about nutrition. The bottom line is you can enjoy all foods. In moderation, almost all types of food can be eaten by the diabetic. There is sufficient information online for diabetics and there is absolutely no need to buy any fancy books or see a nutritionist. Finally, no matter what you eat, cut down on the sugary stuff and walk more.

I am a 54 year old diabetic and have been told I also have high cholesterol. Do I need medication to lower my cholesterol?

Because diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, one should make every attempt to control the cholesterol levels. Combination of cholesterol and diabetes is bad news. There are drugs to decrease cholesterol levels, but the first choice of therapy is exercise and this is highly recommended. All diabetics should at least surf cyberspace and read about the foods which are good for diabetics. There is no need to see expensive dieticians to determine what you can eat- unless you cant read or do not have internet at home. If you have any questions about diet, speak to your doctor. To start, lower fat in your diet, walk everyday and do not smoke- that should take care of many of your health problems.

How much alcohol can a diabetic drink safely?

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. And 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.

Are there certain foods I should eat more off since I am diabetic?

The best way to control diabetes is being smart and selecting foods which will keep not only keep 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 means  eating more fresh fruit, vegetables, sea food and legumes instead of daily steak and hamburgers.
One should try and eat a healthy diet which derives at least 20-20% daily calories from protein, 30% or less from fat and the rest from carbohydrates. One should become a label based shopper and check which foods contain sugar and fat free. Some labels even mention which foods are good for the diabetic.

I am a new diabetic and am worried about my diet. I do not have money to see a dietician. Can you help me with what I should eat?

Sure, a common sense attitude to food is all that is needed. Try and reduce the intake of total fat, mainly saturated fat, which is known to worsen diabetes and make control of blood glucose difficult. Except for the omega 3 fatty acids, most fats have an adverse effect on insulin action. Some dieticians recommend that intake of unsaturated fatty acids is beneficial in the long term management of 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. Infact 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 anti diabetic diet on the market?

Medical nutrition therapy 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. Dieticians, therapists, fitness experts and nutritionists have all gone overboard trying to create imaginary bogus anti diabetic diets. The world of nutrition is big business and every tom, dick and Harry has come up with a diabetic diet. Best advice, cut down on your sugars, do not smoke and walk more.