What do I buy at the grocery store now that my son is found to have diabetes? This will be a daunting task because old habits are hard to break. I like my TV dinners and chicken pot pies load with sodium and my white flour tortillas. Well, this is for my son and the well being for the rest of my family so this challenge will be met.
How Do I Shop for Diabetes?
First, I am going to search online for diabetes friendly food and make a shopping list. I have found in the past that if you stick to the list you save time and money, and who doesn’t want more time and money? So what am I going to buy for groceries? Here is what I found out in order to refine my choices:
Diabetes Recommendations
Buy beans, not only are beans (like kidney and pinto) a low-fat, nutritious source of protein, but they’re also high in fiber. And that’s just what you want, because high-fiber foods slow down digestion. While whole grains like beans, are nutrient-rich, high in fiber, and low on the glycemic index. Translation: They digest more slowly than refined and processed grains, keeping your blood sugar steady-as-she-goes.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are high in fiber. But just as important, they’re typically low in calories, thanks to their high water content, so they help you manage your weight, too. Add in the fact that produce is rich in inflammation-quelling antioxidants, and you’ve got more than enough reason to fill up half your plate with things like broccoli, leafy greens, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, string beans, eggplant, and the like. And a delicious piece of fresh, ripe fruit is a satisfying ending to any meal.
Fish is another excellent choice for dinner because high blood sugar can put your heart health at risk, you’ll want to do everything you can to protect your heart. And that means choosing healthful lean protein for your diet. Fish just happens to fit the bill and also brings the added benefit of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids to the table as well as low-fat dairy products are another good choice for lean protein. And new research suggests that higher dairy intake may help prevent type 2 diabetes onset.
What is a good healthy snack that satisfies, try unsalted nuts. Nuts are the snack that really satisfies. Next time you get a craving for potato chips, grab a handful of unsalted nuts instead. Nuts fill you up with fiber and load you up on omega-3 fatty acids as well. This is only one example of a healthy snack for diabetes.
Nowhere did I find TV dinners, chicken pot pies or frozen pizzas or the preferred list of food for diabetes. I see how people would get frustrated. I went to the grocery store and bought accordingly to the suggestions but it will be worth in the long run.
Epilogue
After a month or so, preparing meals according to the ingredients bought at the grocery store, we all felt better than ever. Most importantly, my son’s glucose levels were in line. In fact, I lost a couple of pounds as well as my wife. It’s ironic that one can be diagnosed with diabetes and soon everyone in the family is in better health.
For more delicious low carb meals be sure to search out the other menus.
