Easy Meal Planning for Diabetics

Meal planning is essential to a successful diabetic diet.  It will prevent times when you
don’t have anything ready for dinner and grab something that you probably shouldn’t be
eating.  The planning of meals should begin before you head to the grocery store in the
form of a list and meals you are going to make for those ingredients.

Once a week you should sit down and plan what meals you are going to eat and make for
the next week.  When you are making your meal plan, don’t forget to include all meals
and snacks too.  If you are hungry and know what your next meal is going to be you are
going to be better prepared.

In the beginning, meal planning will take some time.  Depending on what diet your are
following (the Exchange Diet, Counting Carbohydrates, or the TLC Diet) you are going
to have to get used to the foods you can have, the portion sizes and how they can be
cooked.

Plan each day out in its entirety.  Make it realistic; don’t plan to make lasagna on a night
that you know you won’t be home until late.  Save the meals with more preparation for
when you have time and make extra so you can have left-overs when time is tight.

When you are in the grocery store, do not go hungry.  If you do, there is more chance that
you will buy food that you do not need.  Another trick while you are pushing around the
cart is to only get what is on your list.  If you are in line paying for your food and notice
something that snuck its way in – put it back.  This will not only make sure you stick to
your meal plan but can save you money too.

Artificial Sweeteners for Diabetics

The food industry has come up with a solution for people on diets or with diabetes that
have a sweet tooth.  They are known as artificial sweeteners and they are used in
everything from chewing gum, coffee sweeteners, and even baking.  There is some
controversy over the use of them as some of them are totally synthetic and others are
derived from the actual sugar plant.  But to a diabetic who doesn’t want to give up on
their favorite pop or chewing gum they can be a life-saver.

The four different kinds of artificial sweeteners are:  saccharin, aspartame, sucralose,
acesulfame potassium.  Each of these types can be found under various product names
and brands.  Not all are made the same way and they have different uses.  Some you can
buy in liquid or powdered form for baking needs and others like aspartame is only found
in foods that you purchase pre-made.

 The use of these artificial sweeteners will not raise blood sugar and are safe for a
diabetic to use.  Care and attention is still needed because the food items you put sugar in
or on most likely will have an affect on your blood sugar.  Still follow your diabetic diet
but use some artificial sweeteners to make it a little sweeter.

Some diabetics may want to use honey as a substitute for sugar.  You certainly can make
this substitution, however, honey is very similar to sugar in carbohydrate content and the
effects it will have on your blood glucose level.  It is best to enjoy honey in small
moderations if at all.

Aspartame has been linked in some medical studies with Alzheimer’s disease.  Speak to
your doctor about the benefits and risks of using any of the artificial sweeteners if you
have any concerns about the potential health risks.