Benefits of eating a healthy diet are for everyone but for a diabetic there can be even more reasons to follow a nutritious meal plan. Keeping a stable blood glucose level is the biggest reason for a diabetic to follow a diabetic diet. It takes commitment and patience to stick with the diet and plan out all meals each week. But the more that it is done the easier it will become.
Another benefit of eating a healthy diabetic diet is reducing the amount of insulin that is needed. By eating good carbohydrate choices and lean meats you will lower the insulin requirements for your body. The foods you eat all affect on your blood sugars and when you do not choose the best foods for your body it will need more insulin to process them. In addition to extra insulin requirements, you will suffer from high blood sugars also known as hyperglycemia. This condition can have serious long-term effects on your body and its organs.
By continuing with a healthy diet and combining it with regular exercise you can lose excess body weight. This too is good for your insulin requirements and blood glucose levels. By incorporating exercising into your daily routine you can give your body's metabolism a boost and help it process the foods you are eating. When the foods you take in are healthy choices your body is going to function better.
If you do not follow a healthy diet you can suffer from:
- Low blood sugar from not eating enough – hyperglycemia
- High blood sugar from eating too much or eating the wrong foods – hypoglycemia
- Gain weigh and in turn increase your daily insulin requirement
- Lack the energy needed to exercise on a regular basis
Eating well can help control your diabetes and prolong your life expectancy.