Foods That Are Recommended On The Mayo Clinic Diabetic Diet

The Mayo Clinic Diabetic Diet consists of diabetes meal plans that you make up yourself if you have type 2 diabetes. According to the Mayo Clinic, this diabetes diet is known as medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for this type of diabetes. It involves eating a variety of foods in smaller portions and sticking to regular mealtimes.

Not as Restrictive as Other Diets

The Mayo Clinic MNT is really an eating plan that is full of healthy foods instead of processed sweets and snack foods that can raise your blood sugar level. It is low in fat and calories and is actually a healthy diet for anyone to eat because it is high in fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods. It can be lower in calories for those who need to lose weight to get their type 2 diabetes in control.

Foods to Be Avoided or Limited

The Mayo Clinic Diet can help you avoid heart disease and stroke because of its emphasis on eating healthy foods. Trans fats are strictly to be avoided. These fats can be found in stick margarine and shortening, processed snacks and baked goods and some other foods.

Saturated fats should be limited to less than 7 percent of the daily calorie eaten. Foods such as sausage, bacon, hot dogs, and other meat or full-fat dairy products contain saturated fats.

This diet also limits cholesterol that is present in meat, egg yolks, and other foods. Salt or sodium is also limited on this diet.

Recommended Foods on the Mayo Clinic Diabetic Diet

Doctors usually refer their patients who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to a nutritionist or dietitian who can help them make up a diet that will help them control diabetic symptoms by keeping their glucose levels under control.

Foods that are high in fiber are a large part of the diet, including beans, peas, lentils, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and whole-wheat flour and wheat bran.

This diet also includes eating fish at least twice a week, preferably tuna, sardines, bluefish, salmon, or mackerel, all of which are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Fats that are known to be healthy should be eaten. These can come from walnuts, almonds, pecans, olive or peanut oil, or avocados. Fats in these foods are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that can lower cholesterol levels.

Source: The Mayo Clinic
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