Six Smalls Meals

Though there is not a specific "diabetic diet," the American Diabetes Association has guidelines that they recommend for persons with diabetes.

These guidelines include 50% carbs, 30% fats and 20% proteins. Additionally, the concept of 6 small meals has been supported. There are several reasons for this:

* maintains more consistent blood sugar
levels
* reduces the urge to binge
* promotes hydration
* decreases hunger sensations,
especially in those who are reducing
calories or intake to promote weight
loss

1. When you eat at regular 2-3 intervals
throughout the day, your blood sugar
does not have time to drop to any
significant degree. This pattern of
eating decreases the roller-coaster
effect seen with 3 meals a day.

2. Frequent meals decreases the risk that
you will binge, as you consistently have
food on board, providing feelings of
satiety.

3. When most people eat, they also drink a
beverage. More frequent eating will
then also promote better hydration, just
make sure that you are drinking water,
low calorie fruit juice or other non-
caffeinate or alcoholic beverages, as
these will dehydrate you.

4. If you are "dieting" trying to lose
weight, the 6 small meals decreases
feelings of hunger. Even if the calorie
or quantity is decreased, the act of
eating every 2-3 hours reduces hunger
pangs, and will help you be more
successful in your weight loss efforts.

Whether you opt to eat 3 meals a day and a bedtime snack, or to go with 6 small meals, each day, remember these key things:

* 50% carbs, 30% fats, 20% proteins
* hydrate with non-alcoholic and non-
caffeinated beverages to a total of
at least 1 ounce for each 2.5 pounds
of your body weight
* test your sugar at regular intervals
* keep your Food Diary
* notify your doctor for repeated high
or low values, so that you can work
together to adjust your meal plan
and/or medications.

Talk to your doctor, Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian about your meal plan; they can provide you with more information about the risks and benefits of the meal plans and the best way to help you manage your diet and your blood sugars.