Losing weight is one of the most common health goals in America, but it can be especially challenging if you have diabetes. On top of trying to limit your caloric intake and maintain a healthy diet, you also have to consider how certain foods affect your blood sugar levels. Fortunately, there are ways to achieve both objectives at once using a diabetic diet! In this article we’ll go over how to lose weight with a diabetic diet so that both you and your physician can be happy with the results.
Eat regular meals.
Eating regularly is one of the most important things you can do to lose weight. Eating three meals a day, or five to six small ones, helps keep your blood sugar levels steady and makes sure that you don’t get too hungry between meals. It also allows for a healthy snack between breakfast and lunch–or dinner and bedtime if you prefer!
With this approach, there’s no need for calorie counting or portion control because the portions are already determined by the amount of food on your plate at each mealtime. Just make sure that each serving size is reasonable: no more than 1 cup (250 mL) per main dish; 1/2 cup (125 mL) per side dish; 2 tablespoons (30 mL) per salad dressing or sauce; 3 ounces (90 g) meat/poultry/fish pieces; 1 egg etcetera…
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Choose simple carbohydrate-rich foods.
- Simple carbohydrates are sugars and starches that are found in fruit, milk and yogurt. Starches include potatoes, whole grains, beans, starchy vegetables (like carrots) and even pasta made from whole wheat flour. Complex carbs take longer to digest than simple ones so they keep you fuller longer–and they’re also good sources of fiber which can help lower cholesterol levels by keeping bile acids moving through the digestive system smoothly.[1]
Choose complex carbohydrates.
Complex carbohydrates are rich in fiber, which can help you feel fuller for longer and reduce your risk of heart disease. They also require more energy to digest than simple carbs do, so they’re less likely to be stored as fat. Examples include whole grains like brown rice or oats; starchy vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots and corn; beans; legumes (e.g., lentils)
Count carbs at every meal and snack.
- Carb counting is a simple way to help you manage your blood sugar level and lose weight.
- The most important thing to remember when carb counting is that each gram of carbohydrate has 4 calories. This means that if you want to lose weight, you need to reduce the amount of carbs that you eat in order to reduce calories without reducing protein or fat.
- To calculate how many grams of carbohydrates are in a food item:
- Find out how many calories it contains (use this website). The number will be given in kilocalories (kcal) or thousands of calories. For example, if a food has 200 kcal then there are 100 gm carbs per serving as 1 gm = 4 kcals and 100/4=25 servings=1kg/4kgs=25gms(approx.)
Eat fiber-rich foods on a regular basis.
A diet high in fiber helps to keep your digestive system running smoothly. Fiber also helps you feel full longer, so it’s easier to make healthier food choices and avoid snacking between meals.
Fiber comes from whole grains, fruits, vegetables and beans–and it can lower cholesterol levels. The recommended daily amount of fiber for adults over 50 years old is 38 grams per day (for men) or 25 grams per day (for women).
Stay hydrated.
The first step to losing weight is to drink plenty of water. This will help you feel full and prevent cravings, so you’re less likely to overeat or eat unhealthy foods.
If you drink sugary beverages like soda or fruit juice, they may cause blood sugar levels to spike and then drop quickly afterwards–a pattern that can lead to hunger pangs and overeating later in the day. Instead of these drinks, opt for unsweetened tea (hot or cold), sparkling water with lemon or lime wedges, plain coffee with no added sweeteners or non-dairy creamer–and yes: even plain old H2O!
Limit added sugars and processed foods
Added sugars are often found in processed foods such as baked goods, candy, and sugary beverages. These types of foods can cause spikes in blood sugar levels and contribute to weight gain. Additionally, many processed foods are high in calories and low in nutrients, making them an unhealthy choice for weight loss and overall health.
To limit added sugars and processed foods in your diet, it’s important to read food labels and choose whole foods as much as possible. Focus on consuming fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains instead of processed snacks and desserts. When purchasing packaged foods, look for those with minimal added sugars and ingredients that you can recognize.
It’s also important to be mindful of sugary beverages such as soda and fruit juice. These drinks can contain high amounts of added sugars and contribute to weight gain. Instead, opt for water, unsweetened tea or coffee, or low-sugar alternatives such as sparkling water.
Practice portion control
To practice portion control, it’s important to be mindful of how much food you’re consuming at each meal and snack. Using measuring cups and plates can be helpful in determining appropriate portion sizes. Additionally, eating slowly and paying attention to your body’s hunger and fullness cues can help prevent overeating.
Another helpful strategy for portion control is to plan meals and snacks in advance. This can help ensure that you’re consuming appropriate portion sizes and prevent overeating due to hunger or lack of preparation. When eating out, consider splitting a meal or taking half home for later.
It’s also important to focus on the quality of the food you’re consuming, in addition to the quantity. Choose nutrient-dense foods that are high in fiber and protein, which can help you feel full and satisfied with smaller portions.
Get more exercise every day, if possible.
The best way to lose weight is by increasing your daily physical activity. This can be as simple as walking or doing yoga for 10 minutes each day. If this is too difficult for you, try working up to 30 minutes of exercise per day in increments of five minutes at a time (e.g., 5 minutes one day and 10 minutes another).
Exercising more throughout the week will help burn more calories and keep them off longer than just doing one long workout on Saturday morning before eating an entire box of donuts while binge-watching Netflix all weekend long!
Diets for people with diabetes can be adapted to help you lose weight
If you have type 2 diabetes and want to lose weight, here’s what you need to know:
- A healthy diet should contain lots of fiber, whole grains and other complex carbohydrates (such as fruits and vegetables), which are low in fat but high in nutrients. It should also include low-fat dairy products such as yogurt or low-fat cheese.
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Conclusion
Diabetes is a serious condition, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your life. With a little planning and some hard work, you can maintain your health and lose weight at the same time. The key is to find what works best for you–and stick with it!