16 Myths of a Diabetic Diet

People with diabetes have identified "diet" as one of the most difficult parts of managing their condition. The word "diet" simply means "the food we eat to nourish our bodies." Diet important to all people because the way you nourish your body affects growth and development, influences how you prevent and fight disease, and dictates your weight, energy level, and how you feel every day.
Unfortunately, over the years, the term "diet" seems to have taken on a different meaning, particularly for those with diabetes. Currently, there are many misconceptions and a lot of negativity associated with the term.
The term diabetic diet has been around for centuries dating as far back as 1550 B.C. Fortunately, since then, many positive changes have taken place in nutrition science as it relates to diabetes. Form the earliest treatment using rigidly controlled, semi-starvation diets to the "all foods can fit" thinking at the beginning of the 21st century, we have now arrived at nutrition science as we know it today, a science we call medical nutrition therapy.
Today more and more people are being diagnosed with diabetes. For many, their first thought and questions usually center on food: "What can I eat?", "Do I have to give up all of my favorite foods?" "Am I always going to feel restricted?" The list goes on and on. Today, more and more people with diabetes are seeking a registered dietitian's care and counselling so that they can update their knowledge about food and diabetes and develop a realistic and individualized meal plan, together with their dietitian, to ensure healthy eating.
Learning about current and how it relates to food is essential for managing your diabetes.
Here are some of the facts you will learn when you meet with a registered dietitian:

Food that is good for you is the same food that is food for the whole family.

You can fit food containing sugar into your daily intake-you do not have to give up your favorite foods!

You can eat a wide choice of foods-variety in meal planning is "in," restriction of food is "out."

Standardized "diabetic diets" are a thing of the past.

Special "diet" foods are not needed' all foods can fit!

Fats are now categorized as "healthy" or "unhealthy," and avoiding all fat is not the best.

A registered dietitian provides meal planning options that are individualized and realistic, based on what you are willing and able to do.

Moderate weight loss can result in improved blood sugar control, and reaching an "ideal" body weight is unnecessary.

Eliminating carbohydrate from your diet and eating large amounts of protein is not a good substitute for healthy eating and weight loss.

Snacks between meals and at bedtime are optional, and certain foods work best to achieve satiety.

Particular vitamins and minerals are not needed for people with diabetes.

Exercise does not have to involve a gym and spandex!

Creating a plan before dining out can help you choose healthy options that are available at most restaurants.

Old family recipes can be modified to take them lower in fat, carbohydrate, sodium, and calories.