Healthy eating with diabetes

Careful meal-planning plays an important role in regulating diabetes, but there is not a single diet that works for everyone. Each individual should have a meal plan based on diabetes treatment goals, eating habits and lifestyle. Here are some general guidelines to help you create a balanced diet:

• Choose whole-grain products, such as whole-grain breads, pastas and brown rice, over refined products.
• Eat foods high in fiber such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans. Fiber helps regulate blood sugar.
• Choose whole fruits over fruit juices.
• Avoid "empty calorie" foods, which are foods high in calories but low in nutrients.
• Limit saturated fat by avoiding fried foods and limiting animal products.
• Limit salt. Season with herbs, garlic or lemon. Canned foods and frozen meals usually are high in salt.
• Choose low-sodium options.
• Eat cold-water fish, such as salmon, sardines or mackerel, two to three times a week.
• Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids are fish oil supplements, flax seeds and walnuts.
• Eat magnesium-rich foods. Sources include tofu, beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains and green leafy vegetables.

In addition to the above recommendations, the American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes consult a registered dietician once per year to design an individualized meal plan.