If you are diabetic, cooking a diabetic-friendly meal can help you to maintain good health. Making sure you stay healthy is important when you have diabetes. If you have a large family, cooking can be challenging, especially if some family members are not diabetic. Following a diabetic diet can be beneficial for not just those with diabetes but the entire family.
Diabetes
In the United States, diabetes affects approximately 25.8 million people. Diabetes occurs when your body does not produce enough insulin to lower your blood sugar levels. Your body needs insulin to covert food and sugars into energy. As they rise, they can slowly cause damage to cells and vital organs. Type 1, or juvenile diabetes, occurs when your body produces no insulin and you may have to manually inject insulin in order to keep your blood sugars under control. Type 2 diabetes is sometimes referred to as adult onset diabetes. With type 2, your body makes some insulin but your cells may ignore the insulin so it does not work properly. You can control type 2 with prescription blood sugar-lowering medication such as glucophage, along with a diabetic diet and regular exercise. Gestational diabetes is when blood sugar levels rise during pregnancy and generally return to normal after delivery.
Diabetic Foods
Following a diabetic diet can help you manage your blood sugar levels and make your disease more manageable. If some family members are not diabetic, they may be at risk for pre-diabetes, so a low-carbohydrate, low-sugar diet is a healthy option. Cooking for a large family starts by planning out what you are going to buy at the grocery store. Choose foods recommended for a diabetic diet and then base your recipes on them. MayoClinic.com suggests that you choose foods that are very low in sugar or sugar-free. Try to stick with foods from the main food groups -- whole grains, fresh vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy, lean proteins and beans. Minimize your fruit intake, including bananas and strawberries as well as starchy vegetables such as carrots and potatoes, to avoid spikes in blood sugar.
Diabetic Diet
A diabetic diet is often referred to as medical nutrition therapy. When cooking for a large family, be sure to serve meals consistently throughout the day. This will help keep blood glucose levels from fluctuating. Keep your overall caloric count for each person around 2,000 calories or less. Choose fiber-rich foods to create meals such as legumes and wheat-based products. Fish is a good choice for healthy diabetic dinner. Examples include salmon, herring and mackerel. Make side dishes that include low-fat dairy products such as cottage cheese. It is also inexpensive to fill up on leafy greens at lunch and dinner. Incorporate monounsaturated, or good, fats such as pecans, walnuts, almonds and avocados in your side salads.
Tips
With a large family, try planning out your menu for the entire week or month. This establishes a routine and also provides consistency. When you have time, try freezing meals in advance. Avoid buying processed snacks and meals, even if they appear low-fat or healthy. Many of these foods contain sodium and fillers that can lead to water retention and weight gain. Encourage the entire family to get involved in planning and cooking the meals.
