The foods and beverages you choose directly affect your diabetes. As you work on controlling your blood-glucose levels by eating healthier, you’ll also learn to master portion control and will get better at making the right food choices. Here are some simple ways to get started:
  1. Buy more fresh fruits and vegetables when you’re doing your grocery shopping.
  2. Increase fiber by choosing whole-grain breads and cereals. Brown rice, buckwheat, oatmeal, and whole-wheat bread are good sources of fiber.
  3. Eat more poultry and fish. Try lean ground poultry instead of ground beef. Fish contain healthy oils, so choose fish frequently instead of meat.
  4. Remove skin and fat from poultry. Use lean cuts of beef and pork and remove excess fat.
  5. Avoid high cooking temperatures or searing meat. High heat locks in the fat. Moderate cooking temperatures help reduce the fat.
  6. Use low-fat cooking methods. Broil, bake, stir-fry, or grill food instead of frying.
  7. When eating out, avoid foods described as buttery, batter-dipped, crispy, with gravy, or with cheese sauce.
  8. Use less salt and more pepper, herbs, and seasonings in your cooking.
  9. Slow down and chew. Eating slowly can actually help you eat less and lose weight. Put your knife and fork down between each bite. Try chewing your food at least 20 times before swallowing.
  10. Practice mindful eating. Take your time. Notice the colors, textures, and aromas of the food. Consider how hungry you are. Decide how much you really need, and enjoy every bite.
Learn more healthy habits in Step 5.