When it comes to diabetes and food, it’s like everything else in life—it’s all about balance. Having a healthy eating plan, makes it much easier to manage your diabetes. Making healthy food choices Healthy eating for people with diabetes is no different from what is recommended for everyone. If you aren’t sure what you should be eating, check out food and nutrition. A dietitian can help you to develop an eating plan to meet your personal food preferences and nutritional needs. Read more in our fact sheets: Healthy food choices Healthy snacks Eating out. Recipes There are lots of recipes available online and in publications especially for people with diabetes and they are recipes that can be enjoyed by anyone! Be adventurous and try cooking something new—you may surprise yourself and even impress someone special! Impress your friends and manage your diabetes at the same time. Read more in our fact sheets: Healthy meal ideas Healthy cooking ideas For more recipe ideas try: Your local diabetes organisation or Diabetes Australia website will also have recipe ideas. Better Homes and Garden’s Diabetic Living magazine. Published every two months it has loads of recipes. The as1diabetes website also has some great information and ideas for snacks. Eating out Eating out and having take-away meals are enjoyable parts of life. Having diabetes does not stop you from sharing a meal with family and friends. You just need to know what foods to eat when you are out. Ask about the dish of your choice and how it has been cooked. You can then ask for simple changes if you need to. Some have menus online. This means you can plan ahead and see what healthier choices are available. Read more in our fact sheet Eating out. More information and support Find out more about diabetes and how to self-manage your condition by accessing support programs and information sessions. You can also access online programs available anywhere anytime, such as Carb counting. Call the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 700 and ask to speak to a dietitian. Go to Dietitians Australia or call 1800 812 942 to find a dietitian near you. Go to healthdirect to find a health service or diabetes health professional near you. For more information on glycemic index, go to Glycemic index or Glycemic Index Foundation.
