Now that we know
why it is important to eat healthy, how exactly do we do it? The key to being healthy is having a balanced diet; in other words having a balanced intake of the three macronutrients, carbohydrate, protein, and fat. Each macronutrient plays a major role in our body, so it is important to get a sufficient yet not exceeding amount of each.
First off, we have carbohydrates, which are especially important to monitor for diabetics. Carbs are the main fuel for the body; they turn into glucose which is used for energy. Complex carbs (Carbs that get digested at a slower rate and contain fiber, therefore better for diabetics) can be found in various starches such as bread, pasta, etc. Diabetics should be extremely careful to count there carbs, so that they do not intake more carbs than there system can handle.
Next, we have the macronutrient fat. It might sound odd for fat to be a macronutrient but it is by all means necessary. Fats can be stored as extra energy, and acts as a cushion for your internal organs. However, everyone, including non-diabetics should try to limit there fat intake. This can be done by consuming foods such as lean meats, fish, etc. and cooking them without the use of oil which also contains fat.
Finally we have protein as our last macronutrient. Protein is vital, because it helps "repair" your body. Protein is used in red blood cells to create antibodies and helps to regulate fluid levels in your body. However, it is extremely important for diabetics to regulate the amount of protein they consume, because too much protein can lead to kidney failure. A common effect of having diabetis is a weaker kidney, and the kidney is the organ that eliminates the waste products protein makes.
