Diabetic Foods
... why 'diabetic foods' are NOT required.
You do NOT need to purchase so called 'diabetic
foods'.
Way back in the 1960s, diabetics were advised to eat 'sugar free' and 'low
carbohydrate' diets. This meant that you couldn't eat biscuits, cakes, desserts,
fizzy drinks etc leading to a diet that for many was boring and dull. Manufacturers
were quick to offer sugar-free foods, often using fructose instead of sucrose,
and a wide range of 'diabetic foods' soon appeared - many of which still contained
calories and weren't actually much better for diabetics..
More recent research has shown that the most important target for diabetics is not a reduction in carbohydrates, but lower energy intake and a reduction in fat consumption. Many of the so-called diabetic foods actually contained more energy and fat than the foods they were supposed to replace.
Medical advice is now very clear, it is the same as that given to non-diabetics:
- Low Fat
- Low Sugar
- Low Salt
- Plenty of Fruit and Vegetables
- Plenty of Complex Carbohydrates (wholemeal bread, potatoes, grains, beans, peas, and other starchy foods)
There are NO foods which must be completely excluded from
a diabetic diet..
It is NOT necessary to avoid sugar competely.
It IS necessary to follow the advice of your medical support
team and follow a diet that achieves a healthy weight.
It IS important to monitor your blood sugar levels and keep
them under tight control.
That does not mean that you need to avoid the 'so-called' diabetic foods, just read the labels carefully and treat them as you would any normal food.
Diabetes does not mean that you need to eat boring food. You can find thousands of acceptable recipes on the internet - starting at our sister site: Healthy Diabetic Recipes, or from any of the site listed in the Open Directory Diabetic Recipe section.
