A healthy diet that’s loaded with vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds and fish may seem easy, but it can be hard to stick to if you don’t eat a lot of meat and eggs.
And even if you do, a lot more can be done to ensure you’re eating a healthy diet.
Here’s how.
1.
Choose your veggies wisely.
When you eat a salad, you’re likely to have one or two veggies, so choose wisely.
Avoid too many processed foods.
A big red pepper and a bunch of kale can look very different on the plate than they would on the counter, so pick the ones you like and cut back on the processed stuff.
Avoid the “too much” variety.
For instance, I’ve always been partial to broccoli, and I think broccoli is a great choice for people with diabetes.
And, if you’re on the fence about choosing your vegetables, try this recipe for veggie pasta.
3.
Make your own meals.
Try to avoid processed foods and choose fresh vegetables from the garden, such as cucumbers, beets, carrots, parsnips and tomatoes.
Or, you can buy frozen veggies from the store.
And remember to always wash your vegetables.
Avoid canned and dehydrated food.
It can be tempting to eat foods like canned tomatoes or soups, but eating canned food is loaded with fat and can cause diabetes.
4.
Try a healthy breakfast.
The good news is that there’s plenty of healthy breakfast options out there.
Most of us can get through a few meals on a normal day, but a few times a week you can grab a little something from the grocery store and have it ready to go.
And if you can’t eat anything at lunch, then you can always have your veggies with a smoothie or salad.
5.
Try your own cooking.
Cooking is a powerful tool to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Try cooking a healthy meal, like a protein shake or oatmeal, with a little bit of fat and try to eat it while you’re cooking.
This will help you feel fuller and will also keep your blood sugar stable.
6.
Limit the amount of salt you eat.
If you have diabetes, you may find it hard to avoid too much salt.
But, if your doctor tells you that you’re probably going to have to add some more salt, then make sure you avoid all forms of salt, including table salt.
7.
Try an anti-inflammatory diet.
For those with type 2, anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen can be a big help.
But you should also limit your intake of saturated fat, added sugars and salt.
Make sure you get enough fibre to keep your gut healthy and keep you feeling fuller.
8.
Try exercising to keep blood sugar at a healthy level.
Exercise is also one of the best ways to help you keep your sugar levels under control.
Some studies have found that exercise can reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes, but the best way to prevent heart disease is to exercise regularly and regularly.
A physical activity program that’s built around working out with a partner can help you get in shape and reduce your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
9.
Keep your cholesterol levels under controlled.
Cutting down on cholesterol is one of many strategies to lower your risk for type 2.
You can do this by: getting your blood cholesterol checked regularly.
Get regular blood tests.
This is the first step in the anti-diabetes plan.
Check your blood sugars regularly.
Try taking statins.
If they can’t lower your cholesterol, then they may have a side effect.
For example, the statins can decrease your immune system.
If that happens, you need to take some steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
10.
Reduce the amount you consume in processed foods, drinks and snacks.
You’re not supposed to eat more than five portions of meat a day.
You’ll also need to reduce your intake if you have a family history of type 1 or 2 diabetes or if you use medication that can affect your insulin level.
You should also be wary of sugary drinks and desserts, which can also have a big impact on your blood glucose levels.
11.
Eat fruit and vegetables regularly.
Eating fruits and vegetables helps your body break down carbohydrates into smaller pieces, which your body can use to help it metabolize fat.
If your body is trying to get rid of as many of those fat molecules as possible, then it’s important to eat lots of fruit and veggies to help with that.
12.
Avoid processed meats.
This includes processed meats, sausages, hot dogs, burgers and other meats that are high in saturated fat.
Try cutting down on meat, especially if you tend to overeat these foods.
13.
Avoid alcohol.
Alcohol can have negative effects on your insulin levels, which could