Whether you live with diabetes or not, it can be hard to balance your diet. With so much information on what’s healthy and what’s not, the best solution is to go back to basics to ensure your body get the nutrients it really needs.
Here nutritionist Lynzi Bennun gives Cosmo here top five diabetes-friendly eating tips…Â
1. Eat Healthy Carbs
No cutting carbs here! Complex carbohydrates are part of a healthy, balanced diet. Eat slow-digesting foods that are high in fiber, like wholegrains and pulses, to balance your blood-sugar levels. Try steamed sweet potato with a dollop of hummus on top for something tasty and nutritious!
2. Get Your Five A Day
It’s not just kids who need to eat their veggies! Fresh or frozen vegetables are loaded with all the vitamins and minerals your body needs to survive day-to-day. They also help your body digest food properly, which will allow for more stability in your blood-sugar levels. Not sure where to start? Get a veggie stir fry mix, or blitz a cauliflower in the food processor to make cauli-rice. There are so many wonderful things you can do with veggies, so start eating the rainbow!
3. Healthy Fats Are A Must
There is a good reason for plant-based diets taking center stage recently. Simply put, healthy fats are unsaturated fats found mostly in plant-based sources. These fats will slow down the digestive process which means your blood-sugar levels won’t spike as easily. Avocado, nuts, seeds and unrefined natural oils are great suggestions, and a serving of fresh salmon or tuna will not hurt either!
4. Choose Your Sweets Wisely
Contrary to what you may believe, you do not need to completely rid your diet of all things sweet. Natural sugars from things like fruits can be had in moderation, the key word here being ‘moderation’! Avoid refined sugars at all costs and try curb your cravings by drinking fruit-infused water. Always read your food labels to see if they have any hidden sugars, you may be surprised at what foods contain sugar!
5. Eat Regular Meals
To regulate your blood-sugar levels appropriately, it is important to eat regular meals with controlled portion sizes. Whether it’s three big meals a day or 6 small meals a day, make sure you provide your body the fuel it needs to function properly each day. Don’t skip breakfast and try keep track of your daily calorie count – you should be eating the same number of calories spread out evenly each day. Please consult your Doctor, Dietician or Nutritional Advisor before for help with this!
A healthy, balanced diet is the best solution for a long, happy life no matter what your circumstances. Consult your Doctor, Dietician or Nutritional Advisor for more information and get in touch with Lynzi here for help with any of the above.
Just having a healthy diet isn’t enough, we all need to exercise too. Click here for a 20 minute, diabetes-prevention HIIT workout…Â