People with diabetes literally have to remember hundreds of things about their diet apart from timings for their medications and checking their sugar levels. No matter how much you try, controlling sugar levels will become a difficult task if these things are ignored. So here are some effective ways to help you remember your diet in a better way, shared by Dr Pradeep Gadge, consultant diabetologist at Seven Hills Hospital, Mumbai.
'When it comes to remembering a diabetic diet, you should always think about four things: when to eat, how much to eat, what foods to eat and what foods to avoid completely,' says Dr Gadge.
When to eat and how much to eat:
According to Dr Gadge, diabetics should avoid eating large meals. Instead, opt for small, frequent meals. 'Eat five small meals in a day for better regulation of sugar levels throughout the day. The ideal timing for breakfast would be 9:00 am, for lunch would be 1:00 pm and for dinner would be 9:00 pm. In between, have a fruit at 11:00 am and a salad (limited amount) at 5:00 pm,' he explains.
Foods to be avoided completely:
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Sugar, jaggery (gud) and refined flour (maida) are three prime foods that should not be consumed in any form.
Juice of all kinds of fruits should be completely avoided.
Even beet juice and carrot juice should be avoided.
Avoid drinking coconut water.
Foods that can be taken in limited amount:
Salt, oil, ghee and butter should be consumed in a limited quantity.
Control the amount of rice you eat. Don't eat more than four spoons of rice.
Beet root and carrot should be eaten in limited amounts.
Diabetics can eat whole fruits, but specifically limit the intake of chickoos, custard apples, grapes, mangoes and bananas.
Several sugar substitutes that are available in the market contain aspartame, which may not be safe in the long-term, but plant products like stevia and sucralose are safe and even the U.S. FDA recommends it to pregnant women.
'These are basic tips for remembering a diabetic diet. Every food available in the market has to fall in either of these categories. Whatever you choose to eat, first check which category it falls under and then decide whether you should eat it or not,' he concludes.
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