Importance of Portion Control for Managing Diabetes | Helpful Tips
Posted by Portions Master on 6th Oct 2022
When you have type 2 diabetes, portion control is important to maintain blood sugar levels. A portion control plate can help you measure the amount of carbs, protein, and fiber you consume at each meal. Fiber is important for blood sugar control, and the Mayo Clinic recommends that people with type 2 diabetes consume foods with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving. Adding protein to meals can also help improve blood sugar control and increase feelings of fullness. This may be especially helpful for people with diabetes who have excess weight to lose. By paying attention to portion sizes and the mix of nutrients in your meals, you can help keep your blood sugar levels balanced[1].
“Good” Carb Benefits
As any person with diabetes knows, carbohydrates are a necessary part of the diet, but they can have a big impact on blood sugar levels. That's why it's important to be aware of portion sizes and choose foods that provide other nutrients as well.
One way to control portion size is to use a portion control plate. This type of plate has compartments for different food groups, making it easy to see how much of each you should be eating. When it comes to carbohydrates, the portion size will depend on the type of carbohydrate you're consuming. For example, starchy carbs like potatoes and rice contain more glucose than non-starchy carbs like fruits and vegetables. So, someone with diabetes may need to eat less starchy carbs at one sitting in order to keep their blood sugar levels under control.
Portion control is an important part of managing diabetes, but it's not the only factor to consider. The type of carbohydrate you eat can also make a difference. For instance, complex carbs like whole grains tend to be slowly absorbed into the bloodstream, which helps to keep blood sugar levels from spikes. On the other hand, simple carbs like candy and soda are quickly absorbed and can cause blood sugar levels to rise rapidly. That's why it's important for people with diabetes to choose complex carbs over simple carbs as much as possible.
If you have diabetes, controlling your carb intake is essential for managing your condition. But that doesn't mean you have to eliminate all carbs from your diet. By paying attention to portion sizes and choosing complex carbs over simple carbs, you can still enjoy healthy, nutritious meals while keeping your blood sugar levels in check.
Portion Control and Healthy Starch
You might be surprised to learn that starch is a type of carbohydrate. It's found in several fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and is a key source of energy for the body. Starch is broken down into glucose, which is then released into the blood. The American Diabetes Association notes that the slow release of glucose can help prevent blood sugar spikes. This makes starch an important part of a healthy diet for people with diabetes. Of course, portion control is still essential. The ADA recommends using a portion control plate to help you stick to healthy portion sizes. By making smart choices when it comes to starch, you can help keep your blood sugar levels under control.
Summary
A person living with diabetes should focus on eating non-starchy vegetables, whole grains and starches found in fruit and vegetables. People should avoid or limit the number of processed foods and refined sugar they consume to avoid issues from elevated sugar levels. The CDC recommend that any diet plan for a person living with diabetes should include a portion control method such a portion control plate[2]. Portions Master Control Plate is an excellent option for individuals living with diabetes. It includes portion-controlled sections for non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, and protein. Portions Master is adjustable according to your goals, so you can get results perfectly tailored to your needs.