Diabetes type 2 diet
The first step in the treatment of type 2 diabetes is diet therapy along with weight reduction and regular exercise. A well balanced 
and nutritious diet has the potential to reduce the harmful effects of type 2 diabetes. But one needs to meet with a registered dietitian to develop his individual meal plan. This will be based on personal eating habits, likes and dislikes of a person.
The overall goals of diabetes type2 diet therapy include achievement and/or maintenance of near-normal blood glucose and blood pressure levels, optimal serum lipid levels and reasonable weight, the prevention of acute and long-term complications, optimal nutrition and physical activity, and consideration of personal and cultural preferences and lifestyle.
Diabetes type 2 diet can help to combat the problem of blood glucose levels from getting too high, which occurs due to deficiency of insulin. Blood glucose levels can be managed by eating small portions instead of "filling up" at meals and keeping the body fat percentage down. Total calories consumed should be sufficient to maintain a desirable weight and prevent weight gain.
According to American Diabetes Association, diabetes type 2 diet should include lots of vegetables and fruits. One should try picking from the rainbow of colors available to maximize variety:
- such as spinach, carrots, broccoli or green beans with meals.
- Choose whole grain foods over processed grain products. Try brown rice with your stir fry or whole wheat spaghetti with your favorite pasta sauce.
- Include dried beans (like kidney or pinto beans) and lentils into your meals.
- Include fish in your meals 2-3 times a week.
- Choose lean meats like cuts of beef and pork that end in "loin" such as pork loin and sirloin. Remove the skin from chicken and turkey.
- Choose non-fat dairy such as skim milk, non-fat yogurt and non-fat cheese.
- Choose water and calorie-free "diet" drinks instead of regular soda, fruit punch, sweet tea and other sugar-sweetened drinks.
- Choose liquid oils for cooking instead of solid fats that can be high in saturated and trans fats. Remember that fats are high in calories. If you're trying to lose weight, watch your portion sizes of added fats.
- Cut back on high calorie snack foods and desserts like chips, cookies, cakes, and full-fat ice cream.
Type 2 diabetes is serious, but people with diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives. Achieving and maintaining weight loss should be a primary focus of diabetes type 2 diet therapy.
