Diabetes and diet plan.
A proper diet plan is essential for an efficient blood glucose control and management of diabetes. This diet plan must aim to the establishment of a normal body mass index,  and maintenance of blood cholesterol at healthy levels. In other words, keeping glucose, cholesterol and body weight under control are the main shields that will protect you from diabetes complications. Of course we should never forget the great importance of pharmaceutical therapy and exercise.
Contrary to the common notion, being diagnosed with diabetes doesn’t mean the end of a pleasurable life. You will not have to be deprived from your favorite dishes, snacks and beverages. Neither will you have to struggle with boring, tasteless meals being considered just sources of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. You will still be allowed to eat or drink what you used to do. The important difference is that you will have to be very conscious of what you do. For instance, you should not eat as much as you can or get drunk. A very strong principle applies to all of us; the quality and quantity of our diet causes immediate or long term effects in our health. The difference with diabetics is that these effects are far more dramatic, since their body presents lower resistance and slower or weaker recovery. Although dietary habits and preferences are personal matters, we will try to give some simple advice and directions hoping that they will help you to draw the proper limits. The latest are necessary for prevention of diabetes complications and maintenance of good life quality.
Count your daily caloric intake.
Always try to monitor the daily amount of calories you take. This amount varies, depending on your bodily structure, age, gender and the routine of your physical activity.
 For instance, 1,600 calories should be the highest intake for relatively small active or medium sized not very active women. This caloric amount or slightly less will help both categories to maintain or lose weight.
The top limit of 2,000 calories applies to large women who need to lose weight, small men with normal weight, not very active medium sized men and overweight large men.
Maximum daily intake of 2,400 calories is suitable for highly or moderately active medium and large men respectively. The same limits are appropriate for very active large women.
Very active large man can take up to 3,000 calories daily.
Of course these are just general directions, since they do not deal with a person’s age, and any other individual parameters. If there is a need, a qualified dietician or diabetes specialist must be consulted.
Measure the food or beverages you eat or drink.
You shouldn’t eat huge amounts of food. You can have your coffee, tea, milk, soft and alcohol drinks but everything must be drunk in moderation. Your diet has to be balanced and your meals must be of similar caloric and nutritional value. In order to achieve this, you must measure your food. Don’t panic, though. You will not have to do this all the time. Perhaps this will be necessary in the first one or two weeks and you may need to use special cups or spoons and kitchen scales to measure your foods and drinks. After that, you will get familiar with the quantities and the kinds of food you really need. Labels on the packages with a product’s nutrition facts will be very helpful for you to estimate the intake of the contained nutrients and calories.
Overtime, you will get confident about the needed size of the bowl you to use for cereals, the plate for rice, mashed potatoes or pasta, the cup for tea, coffee or milk and the glass for a bit of wine or beer. You will also get familiar with the proper portions of meat, fish, bread and fruits. Of course, a qualified dietician or your healthcare provider will set the meals you need.
Always keep things under control.
Try to eat the recommended amounts of foods in four, five  or more equal meals during the day. This is very important, because it will help you to avoid any dangerous blood glucose fluctuations.
Do not miss meals, because this may affect your blood glucose and lead to hypoglycemic episodes.
Don’t drink much. Unless your dietician recommends otherwise, you can have two glasses of dry wine or a glass (280ml) of beer per day but no more than that. The only liquid you can drink as much as you want is water.
If you don’t feel well and you cannot eat properly or drink enough amounts of liquids, contact your dietician or doctor and ask for advice, in order to prevent hypoglycemia. Keep in mind that reduced liquid intake, combined with diarrhea can cause severe dehydration and make your blood pressure to drop
dangerously.
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