Need help with what to eat? Look here!

So you have Type 1 Diabetes, now what the heck do you eat? While the options are not as wide as what a regular person can eat, there are still very many yummy an nutritious food choices. Your new eating plan should consider healthy-eating plan that's rich in nutrients and low in fat and calories, with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. This eating plan would be good for anyone trying to stay healthy, but as we know not all healthy food is what people want.

 When you eat excess calories and fat in certain foods,  your body responds by creating an unneeded rise in blood glucose. If blood glucose isn't kept in check, it can lead to serious problems, such as a dangerously high blood glucose level (hyperglycemia) and chronic complications, such as nerve, kidney and heart damage.To avoid all of these problems it is important for you to visit a dietitian and have them give you some diet options. It is also important for you to keep a food journal. These two things combined can help to keep your blood glucose levels low and to keep you healthy.

Some things to consider while trying to eat a diabetic diet are to not eat too many of saturated or trans fats because they are so high in fats. You also want to keep cholesterol and sodium levels low as well. So what can you focus on eating? Instead of complex carbohydrates, focus on the healthiest carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes (beans, peas and lentils) and low-fat dairy products. You will want to eat high amounts of fiber as well to reduce your risk of heart disease and lower your blood glucose levels as well. To help lower cholesterol levels you should foods containing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — such as avocados, almonds, pecans, walnuts, olives, and canola, olive and peanut oils. This all may seem overwhelming at first, but it will get easier to live this lifestyle over time. You might have to give up some foods you really enjoyed, but it is necessary for a healthy life and you will find new foods to enjoy.

The following is an example meal of a diabetic person who eats about 1,600 calories a day.

• Breakfast: Whole-wheat pancakes or waffles, one piece of fruit or 3/4 cup of berries, 6 ounces of nonfat vanilla yogurt.
• Lunch: Cheese and veggie pita, medium apple with 2 tablespoons of almond butter.
• Dinner: Beef stroganoff; 1/2 cup carrots; side salad with 1 1/2 cups spinach, 1/2 of a tomato, 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper, 2 teaspoons olive oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar.
• Snacks: Two unsalted rice cakes topped with 1 ounce of light spreadable cheese or one orange with 1/2 cup 1 percent low-fat cottage cheese.