DIABETES: HOW TO EAT AND DRINK WISELY
Here are some recommendations for daily health from the ADA
Summertime means party time-weddings and family reunions, backyard barbecues and picnics. But there's no vacation from controlling your blood-sugar level!
For healthy eating every day, the American Diabetes Association recommends individuals:
- Write menus for every meal, including lunches.
- Plan and shop for all ingredients needed for the week ahead.
- Include one or two big recipes that can be "recycled" as leftovers or used for additional meals when there's no time to cook. Set aside these extra portions and store them before serving the original dish.
- Stock up on basics: olive and vegetable oil, chicken and vegetable broths, frozen fruits and vegetables, seasonings, canned fish and healthy sauces.
- Limit restaurant visits and take-out as much as possible.
- Don't let junk food into the house. Buy or make diet-friendly snacks to keep on hand.
Does someone with diabetes have to say "no thanks" to every beer, glass of wine or mixed drink? Not necessarily-but alcoholic beverages can cause blood sugar to drop dangerously low if a person takes insulin shots or other diabetes medication, the ADA warns. Nerve damage or high blood pressure can complicate matters, making it important to first check with a doctor. If the doctor says it's safe to have a drink once in a while, the ADA suggests that people:
- Limit themselves to one or two drinks over the course of the day.
- Always drink with a meal or soon after one.
- Choose drinks with low-sugar or sugar-free mixers, such as diet soda or tonic, sparkling water or club soda.
- Remember: Because alcohol is high in calories it can cause weight gain.