Is there such a thing as “a diabetic diet” any longer? NO! According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), and this isn’t brand new information, there’s no one diabetic diet that is THE way of eating for ALL people with diabetes. There are also no so-called “diabetic foods” or “diabetic-friendly foods or snacks” that should be purchased by people with diabetes with the thought that these foods are better for you than unprocessed and unadulterated foods.

What is the recommended eating plan for people with diabetes is a healthy diet? The ADA recommendations totally reflect the healthy eating guidelines for everyone. Translated and simply stated these are:

• Get about half your calories from carbohydrate rich foods – whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy foods. (There is very little good science to support the notion that people with diabetes should limit the amount of carbohydrate they eat. In fact, there’s plenty of science to indicate the converse as long as that carbohydrate is from fiber filled, nutrient-dense foods and not processed foods with lots of added sugars.)
• Choose whole grains rather than refined grains and processed cereals, crackers, breads, etc.
• Eat at least 5 servings a day of fruits and vegetables (they can be fresh, frozen or canned without extra salt). If you eat more than about 1,500 calories/day, eat more fruits and vegetables.
• Drink at least 2 to 3 (depending on age, sex, calorie and calcium needs) glasses of milk (or eat yogurt) a day.
• Limit saturated fat by eating limited amounts of cheese, red meats and other protein-based foods and solid fats. Choose more seafood, poultry and non-animal sources of protein like beans and legumes to meet your protein needs.
• Choose and use healthier liquid oils, such as canola, olive, and soybean oil; to enjoy more healthier fats.
• Limit sweets, refined snack foods and baked goods and beverages sweetened with added sugars (regular sweeteners such as pure cane sugar, high fructose corn syrup).

People with diabetes come in all shapes and sizes. Therefore one “diabetic diet” can’t fit the needs for millions of people. Some people require insulin and can learn to adjust their rapid acting insulin doses to the amount of food (particularly carbohydrate) they are eating. Many people with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes are overweight. For them losing even 10 pounds would provide enormous benefit to blood glucose, blood pressure and blood lipid (fats) control.

Don’t feel you need to find and follow “a diabetic diet,”, simply take steps - one at a time – to transition to healthier eating habits.

Want more information about how to change your eating habits and follow a healthy diabetes meal plan? Pick up a copy of Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy.