Diabetic Diets – Consistency and Variety

It may sound like a hard thing to do – be consistent and have variety in your diet at the same time.  But it is possible and it is the best way to control your diabetes with your diet.  The consistency comes in at specific meal times and the same servings from the different food groups.  And the variety refers to trying as many different foods in the food groups as you can.

It can be easy to find a few meals that work well with your blood sugars and are easy to prepare and just stick with them.  You are more than likely to get bored with this and you probably aren’t getting all of the nutrients you need from a set amount of foods.

Whether you are on the carbohydrate counting diet or the exchange diet, you have a lot of room for flexibility.  You can combine different foods together for something new or try foods you have never had before.  You can meet with your dietician to get additional ideas for recipes and other foods that you can eat to add more variety to your diet.

There will be times that you try a new food and your blood sugars are higher as a result.  Think back about anything else that you had done differently that day – less activity or taking your insulin later than usual.  If the new food is the only change you experienced talk to your dietician.  You may be able to prepare the food differently or eat it with something else or you may have to avoid that food if it doesn’t work for your diabetic diet.

Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean that you can’ be adventurous and try something new, just do it at regular meal times and within the recommended portion sizes.