Control Diabetes with the Diabetic Vegetarian Diet

A well known concept of diabetic management is dietary modification.  It is effective in most patients with type 2 diabetes when coupled with exercise and possibly oral anti-diabetic medications.  Many a diabetic health food diet has been proposed and employed in the efforts to manage this debilitating disease.  However, a new diet, known as the diabetic vegetarian diet, offers extreme promise to the diabetic individual.

The principle of a vegetarian diabetic diet involves maintaining a sufficient intake of dietary protein without the intake of excessive amounts of unnecessary saturated fat and cholesterol, as is found in most high protein foods, such as red meat.

A key factor in the diabetic vegetarian diet is replacing animal protein with vegetable protein.  Food products made with high quality soy protein are perfect for this diabetic diet plan.  These soy based foods provide sufficient protein to help maintain the diabetic patient, but without the fat and empty calories.

Here are some other important concepts related to the diabetic vegetarian diet:

Eat whole grain food products as a source of carbohydrates.  Whole grain products raise the blood sugar slowly and help to maintain it in a plateau of normal blood glucose levels.  Whole wheat toast and oatmeal are good examples of whole grain foods.

Use low fat dairy products, if your dietary preferences allow, as another source of both carbohydrates and protein.  Low fat cottage cheese and skim milk work well for this purpose.

Eat plenty of salads and other green leafy vegetables, but avoid high fat salad dressings.  Substitute olive oil and vinegar as a healthy alternative to fat filled commercial salad dressings. 

Even though this is a vegetarian diet, avoiding potatoes, and other very starchy vegetables can help to keep your blood sugar from bouncing all over the place.

Eating frequent vegetarian snacks can be helpful in maintaining blood glucose levels.  Whole wheat crackers or whole grain cereal with skim milk makes a great diabetic snack.

Things to avoid with the diabetic vegetarian diet:  Alcohol, fried foods, excessive fruit juices, concentrated sweets, and fruits like banana and mango.

No one should begin a high or low protein diet, vegetarian or otherwise, without seeking the proper medical advice of a physician.

Experts all agree that maintaining a healthy blood glucose level is important in controlling the damage brought on by diabetes.  The diabetic vegetarian diet can help you do that and also help prevent the onset of other disease as well.