Diabetes

Most people with diabetes worry that they won't be able to eat the foods they like any more.

It's true that that you will have to eat sugary foods in moderation and be aware of your blood sugar levels. However, with a few small adjustments, you should be able to enjoy a relatively normal diet and still enjoy a special treat now and then.

Everyone in the UK who is diagnosed with diabetes should be offered dietary information and support. If this hasn't happened yet, you should contact your GP's surgery to ask to be referred to a dietician, who will create a diet that takes your lifestyle and culture into consideration.

But, in the meantime, there are a number of straightforward things you can do to make your eating habits more diabetes-friendly:

• Try to eat a variety of foods at each meal. A mix of carbohydrates, proteins and fats is ideal.
  
  
• Choose 'good' carbohydrates. Wholegrain bread and cereals and carbohydrate-rich fruit and vegetables release sugar into your bloodstream more gradually, keeping your energy levels constant.
  
  
• Eat low sugar snacks. Keep your blood sugar level stable between meals by eating things such as apples or oat cakes, instead of sweets or biscuits.
  
  
• Enjoy parties and picnics. Take along a 'contribution', such as raw vegetables and a dip, so you don't have to resort to sugary snacks if nothing else is available.
  
  
• Drink with care. Alcohol on an empty stomach can lower your blood sugar. Try to drink with meals and stick to things that have a lower alcohol content, such as white wine spritzers, rather than beer or spirits.
  
  
• Buy diabetes cookbooks. You'll find lots of really tasty recipes and learn how to prepare meals in a healthier way.
  
  
• Think about losing some weight. Just a few pounds off can help you to reduce your risk of other diabetes related issues.
  
  
• Treat yourself to occasional special treats, such as sweets and biscuits. Try to eat them at mealtimes, with other food, and keep amounts low. Many supermarkets now stock diabetes-friendly products such as no or low sugar biscuits and jams.
  
  
• Drink the squashes and sodas you like. All you have to do is switch to sugar-free options. Don't forget that water is essential for good health as well, so make sure you drink it regularly too.
  
  
• Make your food taste great. Experiment with herbs and spices to add flavour when you cook, instead of using salt.