As a newly-diagnosed diabetic, you are taking in a huge amount of new information about your disorder, how to manage and control it, how to take your oral medication or insulin shots and how you will now have to eat. You may be thinking that you'll never be able to enjoy a huge, tasty cheeseburger with fries ever again; however, this may not be true. If you follow your doctor's orders and listen to your new dietician, you will be able to enjoy a larger variety of foods and beverages than you may think you can.
Step 1
Schedule an appointment with a registered dietician; you can find a list at your local hospital. Take the basic information your physician or internist gives you and discuss it with your dietician. Begin to identify the foods you can keep in your diet as well as those you will have to stop eating. Visit the Medline website and visit the attached links provided. You can also visit the Love to Know website. This site provides dietary guidelines and food group daily allowances specific to diabetes. Register with the website to gain access to all online resources.
Step 2
Enlist help and support from family and friends. Explain why you need to be careful about what you eat and drink. Ignore "advice" from friends who say you don't need to stop eating high-fat, high-sodium or high-cholesterol foods or stop drinking alcohol. Take comfort in the fact that you still need a fully balanced, nutritious diet plan. Print out the dietary guidelines from the websites provided and post them prominently on your refrigerator or pantry door. Discuss these guidelines with your doctor so she knows what plan you're working from and what foods you're eating.
Step 3
Learn to read nutrition labels on the foods you buy and buy the foods which will enable you to stay within the daily allowances recommended by your dietician. Make it a habit to read nutrition labels at the store; when eating out, do the same and ask for alternative menu items and dressing "on the side" instead of already drizzled on your salad.
Step 4
Begin to cook your meals using less sugar, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, less salt and low fat cheeses. Include more fresh fruits and vegetables; if you select a frozen vegetable, make sure it has no added salt, fat or sauces which will take you over your daily allowance of these items. Look for new recipes which will include baked or grilled lean meats and fish, stir-fried vegetables and pastas.
Step 5
Find and enjoy desserts such as yogurt, sugar-free cookies and pies, fruit salads and a low-fat, sugar-free ice cream which still has flavor. Begin to buy low-fat milk. If, however, you want a sweet beverage, buy a sugar-free drink mix and add it to a water bottle.
Skill: Moderately Challenging
Ingredients:
- Dietician
Tip: Look for a local bakery which makes sugar-free pies, cookies and cakes. Enjoy these in moderation.
If your dietician or doctor tells you that you can still drink alcoholic beverages, stay within the limits given to you.
The websites referenced below don't state whether they're part of a specific diet plan, such as the Mediterranean plan. Discuss this plan as well as any others (South Pacific, Atkins) with your dietician and doctor. You need to know whether any elements of these plans could harm your health or aid in managing your blood sugar levels.
Warning: WARNINGS
Be very careful of eating too much of one food group such as fruits or yogurts; you could wind up putting your blood glucose levels out of balance.
Monitor your body's reaction to your new dietary plan and alert your doctor or dietician if you feel weak, shaky or lightheaded.
Keyword: Diabetes Dietary plan Dietician Food pyramid Nutrition
