A Diabetic Diet for Men
Even if the man in your life doesn’t need to lose weight, if he has diabetes he must follow specific diet guidelines to protect his health, according to both the American Diabetes Association and the Mayo Clinic. Controlling his intake of sweeteners and carbohydrates is especially important no matter what type of diabetes he has. You can enhance both of your diets and help foster good eating habits in him by following some basic guidelines.
Getting Started
If the special man in your life recently received a diabetes diagnosis, he probably needs to consult with a dietitian or doctor to find out more about eating options, according to the Mayo Clinic. A popular eating plan for diabetics, including those who do not need to lose weight, is the “exchange” method of eating. Each exchange, such as one starch or vegetable, can be fulfilled by eating specific quantities of diabetic-friendly foods. The diabetic exchange plan sets a certain number of calories per day, depending upon his weight and usually spaces out several meals plus snacks throughout the day to help his blood sugar levels.
Misconceptions
Sugar does not cause diabetes. Having diabetes does not necessarily mean the end of small slices of birthday cake and similar treats at parties, notes the American Diabetes Association. Type 1 diabetes happens in childhood and has absolutely nothing to do with consuming sugar. Overweight men may develop type 2 diabetes later in life, but excess weight, rather than too much sugar, creates the illness. Eating too much of any food can pile on the weight and cause diabetes or exacerbate existing symptoms.
Food Recommendations
Your special guy should eat plenty of “superfoods” to help combat his illness, according to the American Diabetes Association. Foods with a low glycemic index are great for his body–and yours–on many levels. Diabetic superfoods that should be incorporated into a regular plan of eating include beans, citrus fruit, berries, green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, whole grains and fish.
Considerations
Eating sugar alcohols through artificial sweeteners or white flour-based products on a regular basis just isn’t good for his health, notes the American Diabetes Association. Even artificial sweeteners can wreak havoc on a non-diabetic’s blood sugar and worsen symptoms in diabetics. They can also cause gastrointestinal problems; if your special guy wants to eat artificial sweeteners carefully review the label first and try to limit foods like snack bars that include more than 5 grams of sugar alcohols.
Nutritional Goals
Any adult with diabetes, unless medically advised otherwise, should follow some general daily nutritional goals, according to the Mayo Clinic. No more than 45 to 65 percent of his daily dietary intake should come from carbohydrates, 15 to 20 percent of his daily calories should include lean protein choices and 20 to 35 percent of his daily diet should come from fats like olive oil.
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- man eat pepper image by Slyadnyev Oleksandr from Fotolia.com
