One of the biggest health problems in the world today is diabetes. It is a common chronic disease that affects approximately 20.8 million people in the United States alone and the numbers simply keep on growing with each passing day. For many people, diabetes is a reality that they have live with every single day. However, it is possible to lead a healthy and wholesome life even with diabetes.

Tackling diabetes can be as simple as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet. The American Diabetic Association recommends taking the following guidelines into consideration when planning your diet:

Avoid consumption of saturated fats found in animal products etc and try to use monounsaturated fats like virgin olive oil, canola oil and polyunsaturated fats like sunflower oil or rapeseed oil. Diabetics should also try to include plenty of fiber rich foods such as whole grain cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables along with seeds, nuts and legumes. It is also advisable for the diabetic patient to pay special attention to sugar in foods like fruits.

American Association doctors advice a balanced diet plan where the majority of the calories should come first from carbohydrates, then from fat and last from protein. A low protein diet is also beneficial although fish and soy protein are highly recommended. A diabetes patient should also reduce the amount of salt they use in their food.

For most diabetics, the following daily diet plan is recommended:

2 Portions of fatty fish

5 Portions of Fruits and Vegetables

6 Portions of Whole grains

Here is a brief look at different diabetic diet plans for different levels of calorie consumption based on an individual’s body’s requirements:

a. Daily Diabetic Diet Plan for 1200-1600 Calorie Consumption requirements:

Six Starches

Two Yogurt and Milk

Three Vegetables

Three Fruits

Two Meat or Meat substitutes

Up to Three Fats

b. Daily Diabetic Diet Plan for 1600-2000 Calorie Consumption requirements:

Eight Starches

Two Yogurt and Milk

Four Vegetables

Three Fruits

Two Meat or Meat substitutes

Up to Four Fats

c. Daily Diabetic Diet Plan for 2000-2400 Calorie Consumption requirements:

Eleven Starches

Two Yogurt and Milk

Four Vegetables

Three Fruits

Two Meat or Meat substitutes

Up to Five Fats

Apart from the above, one of the keys to successfully dealing with diabetes is to monitor and maintain one’s blood glucose levels in order to prevent hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. The general values for glycemia are 80-140mg/dl before eating and 100-160mg/dl at just before going to sleep. The glycemia values for the young and old as well as pregnant women may vary.

Hypoglycemia occurs when sugar levels are dangerously low. This is why diabetics are advised to always carry glucose substitutes or sweets in their pockets or within their reach at all times in order to prevent collapse due to hypoglycemia.

So keep the abovementioned tips in mind in order to enjoy a better quality of life and to kiss all of your diabetes related troubles goodbye.