Doctors stress on the fact that diabetes can be controlled through changes in dietary habits.  These changes can be implemented along with medication or alone and this depends on the extent the diabetes has progressed.

The main idea of controlling the diet is to ensure that proper body weight is maintained.  This diet is usually taken care of by the dietician as there are other factors that need to be taken into consideration.  It is important to see if the person has other health problems such as high cholesterol or blood pressure.

Diabetics will benefit from eating a variety of foods every day, containing carbohydrates, fat and protein. Many people think that to be able to control their sugar levels, they should skip meals, which is a completely wrong notion. But yes, it does help to have controlled meals.  Since the blood sugar does not come to a normal level for many hours after a meal, it is advisable not to have too many snacks in between meals, to ensure the blood sugar levels are not high at all times.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are good for diabetics, while fried and fatty foods have the opposite effect. Similarly, empty-calorie foods are a big no; such as sweets and sweet drinks since they do not provide any essential minerals or vitamins.

It is important for a person with diabetes to watch their weight and make sure it is within limits.  They have to get their protein and hemoglobin checked every six months and based on that, make changes in their diet.

Here are some foods that are good for diabetics:

•    Cinnamon
•    Sweet potatoes
•    Onions
•    Garlic
•    Peas
•    Leafy green vegetables
•    Cabbage
•    Tomatoes
•    Lemons
•    Chicken without skin
•    Turkey without skin
•    Fish
•    Low-fat dairy products
•    Beans
•    Oatmeal
•    Whole grains
•    Granola
•    Almonds
•    Walnuts
•    Cashews
•    Peanuts

All these foods also have other health benefits, so they can only do good to the overall health.  Apart from eating the right foods, drinking plenty of water and exercising can do wonders in helping bring blood sugar levels down.  It is also advisable to limit salt intake, reduce alcohol consumption and smoking.

These are simple changes that can do wonders for your health and diabetes. It is all in your hands to ensure your diabetes does not get out of control.