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Whether you are at home at Rachel Ray’s or your home is more like
Hell’s Kitchen, diabetic cooking is not really a challenge. There is
not a particular diet you have to follow and there are really very
few restrictions. Once you have met with your dietician or diabetes
specialist and you have decided which direction to go to control
your diabetes, you can take the market by storm.
The hardest part of the switch to diabetic cooking from what you
may have been doing in the past is the initial “pantry raid.” You
need to go to the cupboards and get rid of those processed foods,
anything loaded with preservatives and ingredients with more than 5
syllables or high fructose corn syrup. Check the freezer for TV
dinners that are made with meat products instead of pieces of actual
meat. Once you have purged your home of the bad stuff, it is time to
go to the store.
When shopping, stick to the perimeters of the grocery store. That
is where they keep the fresh items. Buy fresh fish and lean cuts of
meat, anything labeled “loin” is good, buy skinless poultry or take
the skin off at home to save some money.
Produce is very important, get some broccoli, cauliflower,
carrots, squash, spinach, kale and peppers. Try to get something of
every color, variety is the way to go and it makes a beautiful plate
as well as a satisfying meal.
Don’t forget the fresh fruit, strawberries, melon, apples and
grapes are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to food that
will fill you up and quiet your craving for sweets. When you are
shopping for dairy products, look for low-fat or no-fat. All of the
major ice cream brands come in low fat, low- or no-sugar flavors and
they are yummy.
With diabetic cooking and meal plans, portion size can make or
break you. You can eat sweets and have an alcoholic beverage, but
you have to pay attention to how much and how often. Keeping to a
schedule is anther important aspect of your new healthy eating
lifestyle. Balance is what keeps you on top of your diabetes and
maintains your glucose at normal levels.
If you or someone you love (or cook for, anyway) has been diagnosed
with diabetes, it does not mean you have to despair. There are a lot
of recipes and suggestions for preparation and meal planning and the
adjustments you will be making will change your life for the better.
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