It’s National Diabetes Awareness Month: What’s On Your Plate?

If you’re one of the 20 million Americans with diabetes, understanding how the foods you eat affect your blood glucose can help you make smart food choices that better control your diabetes.

So how can you enjoy your favorite foods while adjusting your diet to accommodate diabetes? A few small changes can make a big impact on overall health and well-being.  In fact, these tips can help anyone - with or without diabetes - live a healthier life.

• Choose lean meats and low-fat dairy products and snacks
• Eat meals and snacks at regular times, and avoid skipping meals
• Eat small or medium-sized portions
• Check nutritional labels for sodium and fat content
• Eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables – they are great sources of fiber that help keep you full
• Try plain, low-fat yogurt as a mayonnaise or sour cream substitute in chilled dishes
• Look for the words “whole wheat” or “whole grain” at the beginning of the ingredient list when selecting breads and cereals
• Spread carbohydrate intake throughout the day 
• Limit fried foods

Looking for more ways to make your diet work with your diabetes and live a healthier life? Talk with your diabetes educator about foods that are right for you and ask the shopper in your house to add your favorite healthy foods to the grocery list.

These tips were provided by the American Association of Diabetes Educators and their program Side by Side: A Partner Approach to Diabetes Self-Care. For more tips on managing diabetes through nutrition and other self-care behaviors, visit www.mydiabetespartner.org.