Six Steps to a Healthy Diabetic Diet

Eating a proper diet is important for everyone, but for diabetics, eating right is critical for optimal health. In order to better balance your blood sugar level, improve your ability to use insulin, maintain a healthy heart and stay at an ideal weight, it's important to eat less sugar, fat, cholesterol and sodium. At the same time, you should eat more complex carbohydrates and fiber. Look to these guidelines to help maintain a healthy diabetic diet:

1. Eat more whole grains, especially oats, brown rice and whole grain cereals and breads.
2. Eat plenty of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables—leave the edible skins on to add extra fiber into your diet.
3. Eat moderate amounts of fish, poultry and lean meat. Try alternative protein sources, such as lentils, dried peas and beans.
4. Always choose nonfat milk.
5. Use herbs, spices and lemon juice instead of salt.
6. Try baking, broiling, poaching, steaming or microwaving instead of frying. Foods can also be sautèed in water, broth or juice.

Diabetics should look out for food labels with phrases like "no sugar added," "dietetic," or even "diabetic." These products can contain other objectionable ingredients, like sugar substitutes, that cancel out health benefits.