Diabetes: Eating Right & Staying Healthy

Having diabetes does not mean that all the pleasure of eating is taken away. You just have to pay attention to your eating habits and alter them to accommodate your condition.

In the United States, diabetes is on the rise, but it can be prevented by making a few subtle changes to your lifestyle:

* By eating healthily and exercising regularly, you will keep your weight down which can help prevent diabetes.
* It is not necessary to avoid sugar, but you should cut back on foods that contain high amounts of it. Avoid saturated fats and eat plenty of vegetables.
* Rather than eat three large meals a day, you are much better off eating small meals at regular intervals. This will keep your blood sugar levels constant.

Maintaining a healthy diet is not something that can be switched on overnight if you have developed bad eating habits over the years. The key is to make a couple of changes at a time. When you have grown accustomed to these changes then you are ready to make more.

To keep on the straight and narrow with a diabetes-friendly diet, you should indulge your other senses. Have a well-earned massage, fill your home with flowers, or relax by listening to your favorite music. When your other senses are called into play, you are less likely to look for food as a source of comfort.

Do your best to take your meals in the company of friends and loved ones. This will turn mealtimes into a pleasurable experience no matter what you're eating.

Having diabetes doesn't have to mean a life of ill health. In fact, by taking steps to improve your diet, you will end up being healthier than non-diabetes sufferers who have poor diets.

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ThirdAge Media
www.thirdage.com