by Lisa Robertson

Created on: January 29, 2008

Diabetes is a growing concern among Americans in our present day and as such we must watch the risks to diabetes with a careful eye. However if you already have Diabetes Type 1 or Type 2 there are things that you can do to help yourself improve sugar levels without sacrificing the foods we all love.

Diabetes type 2 is a controllable disease and with simply watching your diet and exercising regularly you can improve the quality of your life. According to the American Diabetes Association it is becoming more important to limit the amount of carbohydrates you intake rather then paying so much attention to the level of sugar in your foods. Now with this said we certainly don't want you to run out and eat loads of sugar; but with careful monitoring of your Carbohydrate intake you can lower the level of your blood sugar and control it much easier.

Yes this means instead of eating white bread you should eat whole wheat; instead of 2 slices at breakfast eat only 1. Watching your diet doesn't mean cutting it off or depriving yourself completely but it does mean limiting the amount you eat as well as watching what is inside the foods you eat.

Fruits are a big concern for Diabetics because they contain natural sugars and eaten too much can raise your sugar levels very quickly for instance oranges can raise you blood sugar level and you should monitor yourself before and after eating them. At the same time oranges or orange juice can be a great tool to raise you blood sugar level if you are experiencing hypoglycemia and are limited to what you have around you.

Dairy Products like Milk, Cheese and yogurt's should be watched as well. Measuring out each serving size and monitoring your glucose level before and after eating will allow you to see the affects it has on your body. All our bodies are different and what might raise your blood sugar level 30mg/dl might only raise someone else's 15. So it is important to know what you are eating; by reading any labels on the back..researching any items you do not have a label for and weighing each serving.

You can eat healthy and be happy! The rest is up to you!

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