If you’ve been recently diagnosed with diabetes, you may be feeling worried and overwhelmed by the changes you’ll have to make to manage your condition. Your doctor and nutritionist are there to help you each step of the way. And, you can use this handy guide to choose the right foods.

Which Foods Should I Avoid?

Your body needs carbohydrates, protein, and fat to make up a healthy diet. Avoiding sugary foods like desserts, sodas, and juices is important, but you should also look at your intake of less obvious choices. If you have diabetes, carbohydrates should be limited because they break down and are absorbed by your body as sugar. Carbohydrates include starches like potatoes, bread, and certain grains.

This doesn’t mean you can’t consume any of these foods, but you should limit the quantity, especially what you consume in a single sitting, and choose carbohydrates with a high fiber content. Oats, buckwheat, and quinoa are high in fiber. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist about the right amount of carbohydrates for your body.

Which Foods Should I Choose?

You’re eating fewer starchy foods. Now what? Lean proteins and vegetables should become the staple of your diabetes diet. Choose meats like chicken breast and lean beef as well as cooking methods like grilling, broiling, and baking. Include your favorite green vegetable with every meal. Experiment and try lots of new things to find what you love. Spinach is versatile and delicious whether it’s raw or cooked, and beans are an excellent carbohydrate choice that provides protein as well as vitamins and minerals.

If you find yourself missing sweets, berries and citrus fruits will soothe your sweet tooth without causing as much of a sugar spike as a piece of cake or a cookie will. Keep an eye on your blood sugar when you consume fruits to see how they affect your body.

Lexington Family Physicians in Lexington, NC, offers high-quality medical care for your whole family. Their four board-certified physicians treat the whole patient with individualized, compassionate care for your physical and mental health care needs. They’re your partner in preventing medicine, and they’ll help you manage chronic conditions likes diabetes. Call (336) 249-3329 and check out their patient reviews on Facebook.