Managing type 2 diabetes requires careful monitoring of your diet. You need to assess whatever you eat in terms of its health benefits and risks, and you need to limit foods with little nutritional value. Although it is restrictive, you can still eat almost anything you want to -- just in smaller portions.
Starches
The important point to keep in mind when eating for a type 2 diabetic is to keep meals low on starch. The American Diabetes Association recommends what they call "create your plate," where you follow six steps to a healthful dinner with low starch content: Put a line down the middle of the plate, and another line to cut one side, making three sections. Fill up one side with non-starchy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli. Put starchy foods, such as bread or pasta, in one, smaller section, and a lean meat or meat substitute in the last section. Drink a glass of milk and eat fruit for dessert.
Vegetables
Your best bet for type 2 diabetes, as with almost any healthy diet, is to load up on vegetables, specifically low-starch veggies. The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse recommends to eat them raw with little added fat such as in dressings, or to steam them. You can also mix in some spices or combine with meat to add flavor. Cabbage, lettuce, peppers and tomatoes are examples with high nutritional value. One serving of vegetables typically equals a half a cup.
Proteins
PubMed Health suggests two to three servings of protein daily. While protein is necessary for healthy development, diabetics need to watch their intake, as many proteins can add fat and calories if intake is not monitored. Meat is a source of saturated fat that can cause high levels of LDL cholesterol. Fish and poultry are your best picks, and lean cuts of meat such as loin and round cut are acceptable as well. Meats are generally classified as lean if they have less than 10 percent fat grams or less. There are dairy and vegetable sources as well, such as yogurt and Brussels sprouts. Poultry should be skinless. Broil or roast meat, as opposed to frying or servings with high fat sauces. One serving of meat or chicken should not exceed 3 ounces., about the size of a deck of cards.
Sweets
Sugars must be consumed in limitation because they cause your glucose level to spike. Cakes, cookies, candies and dried fruit are loaded with unnecessary and unhealthy levels of sugar. Cutting sweets out entirely may be unnecessary; if you want to eat a cookie, use it as your starch instead of bread -- exchanging one for the other in your meal plan. Decrease sugar in other places by using cinnamon instead of sugar to add flavor to meals.
