
Managing diabetes can be a complex and challenging process, but one of the key pillars for successful management lies in adopting a healthy and balanced diet. In this section, we will guide you through the essential principles of diabetes-friendly nutrition, providing you with practical tips and expert recommendations to help you make informed choices in your everyday eating.
Introduction to healthy eating
A healthy diet is one of the best tools for managing diabetes. Healthy eating for people with diabetes is not much different than healthy eating for any other person.
Type 2 diabetes meal planning
Discover how healthy eating can help people with type 2 diabetes meet diabetes management targets. Find out how a diabetes meal plan and food portion control can help you eat well and live well. Learn what foods should be added to your meal plan and which foods should be limited to promote healthier eating.
Setting nutrition goals
Setting goals for healthy eating doesn’t have to happen all at once. In fact, if you set and achieve a goal each day – or each week – you’ll have something to celebrate! Think about taking small, manageable steps at every meal.
Carbohydrates are important in diabetes management
It’s important to include carbohydrates in your daily meal plan, and always record and monitor the amount and type of carbohydrate that you eat. This will help ensure that you get the right nutrients to maintain your good health!
Foods that help stabilize spikes and dips in your blood sugar
In managing diabetes, it’s essential to avoid major fluctuations (dips and spikes) in your blood sugar, which can be taxing on the body and lead to future health complications. Fortunately, you can help control blood sugar with diet, as there are foods that help stabilize blood sugar and foods that spike it. Let’s look at some ways you can help keep your blood sugar in check via the right meal and snack choices throughout the day.
Nutrition Planning Articles
- Detox diets and diabetesA number of detoxification diets and regimens – sometimes called “detoxes” or “cleanses” – have been suggested as ways for you to remove toxins from your body, lose weight and promote good health.
- Top Canadian-grown foods that are good for diabetesDid you know that there is a plethora of Canadian-grown foods that can be an excellent part of your diabetes diet? Canada grows some 50 varieties of apples alone and produces some of the best sustainable fresh and frozen seafood products in North America.
- 5 top picks on the fast-food menuFor the most part, individuals with diabetes are advised to steer clear of fast-food. But lets face it, there are times when even the most motivated person is going to end up facing a fast-food menu. So what are the best choices when this happens?
- Broccoli and diabetes: a winning combinationFew people will list broccoli on their list of favourite foods, but this green vegetable, which comes from the cabbage family, is a great addition to meals, especially when you have diabetes.
- 10 foods that improve insulin sensitivityWe still don’t know exactly why some people’s bodies can’t respond to insulin properly. Fortunately, we can take steps to improve our body's sensitivity to insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar more effectively.
- 7 healthier cooking oil options for diabetesThese days we’re hearing a lot about the benefits of olive oil in cooking. But it’s only one of many plant-based healthier cooking oil options available to us. Here’s the scoop on why olive oil and several other healthy cooking oils are good to use in a diabetes meal plan.
- Turmeric and diabetes can be a healthy combinationIf you’ve ever had curry dishes or sampled certain types of mustard, you’ve likely tried turmeric.
- 10 fruits and vegetables you can find year-round in CanadaSummer may seem like a distant memory these days, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fill your plate with some delicious, fruits and vegetables all the same. In fact, here are 10 home-grown fruits and vegetables available year-round in Canada.
- Meals and snacks on the go for people with diabetesLife gets so busy, and the temptation to pick up fast food while you’re working or on the run is appealing. However, while it takes a bit of time to prepare healthy foods to pack and go, the flavours and nutritional rewards are worth it!
- Pre and probiotics - how they may help manage type 2 diabetesWhen it comes to managing diabetes, there’s plenty of advice: eat fewer carbs, exercise more and lose weight if needed. If you have type 2 diabetes, you’ve probably heard it all. But should probiotics also be a part of your management plan?