Page 163 - Cook with Ease: Tips and Recipes for Small Families - Serving 1-2

Chapter 5
Appendices

2. Healthy Eating for
People with Diabetes Mellitus

Dietary interventions are important for people with Diabetes
Mellitus (DM) for glycemic control and the prevention or delay of
the onset of complications. Some people may have mistaken dietary
management as dieting. Instead, the diet for people with DM is based
on a balanced diet, which if coupled with proper modifications, can be
full of variety in food selections.

Key to Healthy Eating for Individuals with DM

1. Eat regular meals and consistent portions

Eating regular meals and consistent portions at each meal can help
people with DM to maintain their blood glucose at more desirable
levels. Excessive food intake should be avoided as they can lead
to hyperglycemia (high blood glucose). On the other hand, eating
too little can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) and cause
harmful effects on health.

2. Follow a balanced and diversified diet
Eating a balanced diet means selecting a variety of foods from
different food groups, namely grains, vegetables, fruits, meat, fish,
egg and alternatives, and milk and its alternatives every day in
appropriate portions, and reducing the intake of fat, sugar and
sodium (salt), as recommended by the Healthy Eating Food Pyramid.

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