The Mediterranean Diet for Diabetes

The Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest diets on the planet, and one of our viewers wants to know if it's suitable for someone who is a diabetic. And, i would say, check with your physician, but most nutrition experts agree with me that it is adaptable to most any kind of diabetic meal plan. When you are diagnosed with diabetes, you get a meal plan that establishes calories, grams of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, timing of your meals and snacks, and you get to plug in what those foods are, so by choosing foods that are part of the Mediterranean diet, you'll be choosing foods that are rich in fiber and antioxidants and good for you healthy foods. The basic, there is no one Mediterranean diet, because the Mediterranean is throughout several countries, and each of the adapts it somewhat. But, in general, it's very similar to the dietary guidelines in our country and our my plate, so half of the plate fruits and vegetables, small portions of animal protein, more legumes and nuts, cheese, dairy, eggs, all of those are included. Whole grains, much more whole grains than refined grains. So it's just good, healthy food that's good for you. So don't think about it as the Mediterranean diet, think about those components are, and when you go to fill out your diet plan and determine what you're going to eat, choose the foods that you know are good for you, that are loaded with all of these nutrients. The other thing about the Mediterranean diet is it puts a limit on sweets, which is absolutely appropriate for anyone with diabetes. It limits sodium, which all of us need to be cutting back our sodium. So, having limits on sodium and sweets is really the type of a meal plan that's going to work well for most diabetics. I say, enjoy. Take a page out of the Mediterranean lifestyle. They eat leisurely. It's a lifestyle that includes exercise, portions are really reasonable, and if your doctor thinks it's good for you, that glass of wine with a meal might be just what you need.