Diabetes Education: Grocery Shopping and Meal Planning Tips for Diabetics

Ignorance may be bliss, but it can be deadly when it comes to hyperglycemia

, or too much sugar in the bloodstream. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment of this condition can make the difference between a long, healthy life and the loss of extremities, vision, or even life itself. Learning new ways to shop for groceries can make a major change in anyone's health, but this is especially true for those with blood sugar problems.

Depending upon the medical diagnosis, there are various treatments to manage blood sugar and insulin levels but medical treatment is beyond the scope of this article. There are many sources of dietary advice and diabetes education to help everyone live better. Learning how to enjoy this new way of eating is only one aspect of managing the disease and minimizing diabetes symptoms. Successful eating starts with a few quick tips in the grocery store.

Keep To The Edges

The simplest way to shop well is to stick to the outer edges of the grocery store. This is where the produce section, dairy section, and the meat department are found. Most of the middle aisles in a grocery store are better off avoided until laundry soap or shampoo are needed. The only other aisles worth visiting are those that offer whole grains, beans, legumes and whole grain baked goods. It's not that food has become the enemy, it is simply a matter of learning to eat differently.

Eat A Rainbow

Eating a rainbow refers to the well documented fact that a wide variety of colors in a diet means a wide variety of minerals and vitamins are being eaten. The added benefit of treating yourself to orange sweet peppers, deep purple grapes, bright red tomatoes, dark greens, and yellow melons is that these foods contain few calories but they take up a lot of room in the stomach, providing much needed fiber and plenty of flavor.

Dealing with diabetes symptoms does not limit anyone to boring, tasteless meals. On the contrary, this can be a culinary adventure that leads to tastes never imagined, rewarding the eyes, waistline, and palette, along with keeping blood sugar where it belongs.

Consistency and Planning are Key

The number one rule for eating well with hyperglycemia is consistency. Diabetes symptoms are kept at a minimum when healthy meals are eaten on a regular schedule. The best eating plan for diabetics is to eat meals that contain 45-65% of the appropriate daily calories from carbohydrates, 15-20% of daily calories from protein, and 20-35% of daily calories from fats.

Those without diabetes have the luxury of strolling through the grocery store, picking up whatever strikes their fancy. This type of 'on a whim' shopping can be dangerous for the diabetic. Before taking a trip to the store, be plan out your meals for the time period you're shopping for -- and be sure to always have a few extra meal ideas on hand in case you can't get to the grocery store when again when you anticipated. Planning ahead not only leads to a healthier diet, but can also save money and help you to create tastier, more delicious meals!

Diabetes Education: Grocery Shopping and Meal Planning Tips for Diabetics

By: articlescharmen

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