by Sangay Glass

Created on: October 29, 2008   Last Updated: December 19, 2010

By making healthy food selections a habit, insulin dependent diabetics can actually decrease their need for insulin... and non-insulin dependent diabetics can possibly eliminate the need for oral medications altogether.

The diabetic diet is also perfect for anyone who wants maintain harmony and balance within the body. For both diabetics and those seeking a healthier lifestyle, daily dietary choices can be a challenging change for the better.

Luckily, nutritional value labels and a points system have made choosing foods much easier for diabetic patients.

However, not all foods come with a label, so how can a diabetic make good choices when dining out, attending parties, or standing around the water cooler?

Easily...by using a little visual and mental chemistry a diabetic can stick to their diet anywhere.

~ COLOR COUNTS ~

As a general rule in veggie land, more color...means more sugar and more calories.

Any way you dice, slice or cook them...carrots will always be a better choice than tomatoes or red peppers...and green peppers and green veggies would be a top pick above carrots.

Go for more green and neutrals like mushrooms if you're not sure about what to choose on a veggie plate or salad bar, and save the color for a little dip or dressing.

~ STARCH SEARCH ~

The sneaky thing about starch is that it instantly turns to sugar in its digestion, and even worse, it often disguises itself among our vegetables.

The main culprits of sneak starch are corn, beans, soy beans and squashes. The only exclusions to this group are green string beans, and yellow and green zucchini squash.

Then we have the more obvious starches like potatoes, but like veggies...the darker the potato the higher the sugar content.

So, if you think having a plate full of baked sweet potato fries is a better choice than a few steak fries...think again. A starch is a starch, and they all equal extra sugars.

~ GO AU NATURAL ~

The closer food is to its natural state the better it is for maintaining a healthy balance.

Sauces, gravies, and salad dressings all have potential for adding extra, carbohydrates and fats...all of which will affect blood sugar levels, not to mention provide added salt and calories.

Next we have the old...lean white meats are preferred over red meats...but sometimes plain is better. For example at a convention dinner you are offered a choice of:

a) Prime Rib with steamed veggies and a baked potato

b) Chicken Franchise with herb and Parmesan roasted veggies and potatoes.

The prime rib is better

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