subject: Elderly Diabetics: Proper Nutritional And Mealtime Planning [print this page] Statistically speaking, just over 23% of people 60 or older in the U.S. have some form of diabetes. These elderly diabetics have to have a diet which minimizes glycemic carbohydrates or has ones that metabolize quickly. These carbohydrates can cause a spike in blood sugar so if you have to consider a diabetic's needs when you prepare meals be aware that you are definitely not alone.
Meeting the Challenge of a Diabetic's Nutritional Needs
Just because someone is a diabetic doesn't mean they have to give up enjoying meals or feeling satisfied about what you're eating as meals are an important part of daily life. Fortunately, planning meals around proteins and low glycemic foods is actually good for everyone, not just diabetics. A dietary strategy involving good nutrition is definitely important. Part of a healthy plan for those with diabetes, low glycemic foods that are high in nutrients are recommended.
Low-Glycemic Foods: Preparation Tips
1. Fresh omelets are a great way to begin the day or having a bowl of cream of wheat, bran flakes, muesli or steel cut oatmeal served with yogurt or skim milk works as well.
2. Using a tortilla wrap instead of white bread may be a change for many diabetics but serving those with chili or beans for lunch is a healthy change. Split peas and lentils, limas or kidney beans are all low glycemic index foods. Believe it or not canned salmon is actually a better choice than canned tuna.
3. Replacing high starch foods like pasta and pizza with whole grains like millet, brown rice or quinoa which are high in protein as well is a much healthier alternative, especially when paired with steamed veggies like carrots, broccoli and corn which are low GI vegetables as well.
4. By eating low glycemic fruits like bananas, pears, strawberries, peaches and cherries you're eating a great alternative to sugary sweets.
There are a lot of websites with healthy recipes for elderly diabetics that takes advantage of low glycemic foods as ingredients.
Finding Help
Regardless of whether your loved one can handle meal preparation on their own or whether they need someone to prep meals for them, there are caregiver organizations that can provide complete support and companionship with meal prep and planning included. Being a diabetic of any age doesn't mean you have to sacrifice good food and an enjoyable meal environment. It merely means that they have to take the initiative and change their nutritional habits to make sure all meals and snacks are totally healthy.
