A proper diet proves essential in managing diabetes. A healthy diabetes diet should include balanced portions of carbohydrates, protein and fats. According to the American Dietetic Association, a well-balanced diabetes diet is designed to help stabilize your blood glucose levels. String cheese fits well in a healthy diabetes diet plan recommended by the American Diabetes Association.
Cheese as Protein
The American Diabetes Association categorizes food items into the following categories: starchy foods, fruits, non-starchy vegetables, dairy and protein. While cheese does contain dairy, it falls into the protein category in a diabetes diet. You can exchange cheese for meat-based protein such as poultry, fish and beef. The American Diabetes Association recommends that protein make up 1/4 of all of your breakfast, lunch and dinner meals. Therefore, you can choose to include string cheese as the protein in your meals.
Portion Control
People with diabetes can include a variety of low-fat cheeses in their balanced diet. However, string cheese offers benefits that other cheeses do not. String cheese comes in individual, pre-packaged wrapping, making it easier to practice portion control. Portion control is an important aspect of a healthy diabetes diet. Eating properly portioned meals can help stabilize your blood sugar levels and help you maintain -- or achieve -- a healthy weight.
Snacking
The pre-packaging of string cheese makes it more convenient than other types of cheeses. String cheese makes an easy, on-the-go snack food item. Eating snacks proves an important part of a healthy diabetes diet plan. Snacking helps stabilize your blood glucose levels, gives you energy and helps curb your appetite so that you do not feel the need to overeat at mealtimes. The American Diabetes Association recommends string cheese as a healthy snack
Nutrition
String cheese contains fewer than 5 g of carbohydrate per 1 oz. serving. Because string cheese contains few carbohydrates, it won't cause your blood glucose to rise to an unsafe level. String cheese comes in many varieties, including mozzarella, cheddar and provolone. Whichever flavor you choose, make sure to get it in a low-fat option. Low-fat cheese contains high amounts of protein and calcium, but less saturated fat and fewer calories than full-fat cheese.
References
- American Dietetic Association, Eat Right: Diabetes and Diet
- American Diabetes Association: Food and Fitness -- Snacks: Snacking Smart with Diabetes
- American Diabetes Association: Food and Fitness -- Create Your Plate
- American Dietetic Association, Eat Right: Tip Of The Day -- The Skinny On Cheese, June 4, 2009
- American Diabetes Association: Food and Fitness -- Glycemic Index and Diabetes
- United States Department of Agriculture Nutrient Database
