You have type 2 diabetes and after you were diagnosed, I’m sure your read or heard, chromium is an essential mineral for diabetics. There is no doubt that a deficiency of this mineral can cause problems with blood sugar control. Originally scientists thought, in combination with some B group vitamins, it formed a part of a glucose tolerance factor.

There is a delicate balance between too much and too little, so I would ask myself the following questions:

• are my blood glucose levels maintained within the range recommended by my health care provider, most of the time?
• do you think you have symptoms of a deficiency?

Before buying this product from a health food store or pharmacy:

• talk with your dietitian or diabetes educator, or health care provider
• blood, urine and hair samples have been tested but accurate results have been difficult to obtain.

The Chromium Question:

No scientific evidence shows it is especially helpful to the person with type 2 diabetes. New research has shown that instead of being part of the glucose tolerance factor, it is at the center of a small protein molecule which helps activate insulin receptors in your body’s cells. If this is so, it may mean your body manages sugar levels more effectively.

If your diet is low in this mineral, a supplement may improve blood sugar control.

It has been suggested 25mcgs/day for women and 35 mcgs/day for men is all that is needed. Good food sources are:

• egg yolk
• cheese
• apples, oranges and pineapples
• mushrooms, broccoli, tomatoes, and potatoes with their skin on
• liver, kidney and lean meat
• oysters
• some spices eg. pepper and chili)

Should you take a chromium supplement?

A number of studies have been carried out to see whether or not people with diabetes benefit when adding this supplement to their regime. One study in China showed people who were deficient in this mineral improved. Others diabetics had no benefit.

90% of people with type 2 diabetes benefit from losing weight and increasing their physical activity. Simply walking more each day, especially after eating, has a similar effect on the body as insulin … it reduces your blood sugar levels.

If you just found out that you have diabetes you are probably struggling with your diet. It is so frustrating and hard to have to change the way you have been eating your entire life up until now. Not to mention just dealing with all your emotional aspects of being told you have this awful condition is hard to adjust to also. Now, changing your lifelong habits not only going to be difficult and challenging, but it will be lifesaving. Type 2 Diabetes is a disease that can be controlled to a greater extent by what foods you eat and which ones you avoid.

There are certain foods that you really must cut way back on or avoid altogether if you have diabetes. These foods can further damage your pancreas and affect the output of your insulin levels. Maintaining a strict diet can help regulate this disease so that it puts you back into control of your own life.

List of 3 types of foods to limit if you have diabetes

1. Fats are number one on the list because even though they may not cause your blood sugar to spike, they will affect your ability to lose weight. Since a person who is diabetic has a higher risk of heart disease, it is important to control the blood fats and prevent weight gain. However, there are good fats and bad fats. The bad fats to limit or avoid are:

• Fatty meats
• Fatty dairy products like cheese and ice cream
• Butter
• Fried foods
• Solid vegetable fats like hydrogenated shortening that are in cookies and other such snacks
• Egg yolk (only 3 per week)

Avoid so-called diabetic foods, they have way to much fat to make up for the lack of sugar

2. Sugar should only be limited, not eliminated. Everyone needs a certain amount of sugar to maintain proper body and brain functioning. The problem is, Americans eat way too much sugar in their daily diet and that really is contributing to the rise in diabetes in this country.

Limit sugar intake between meals

Avoid eating high sugar foods like candy, even high sugar fruit drinks

Only eat sugar that is a part of your meal, as in fruit salads, pies or puddings, etc

Eliminate all soft drinks, even diet soft drinks if you are able to

Avoid processed foods high in sugar

3. Salt should be watched. People who have diabetes usually have high blood pressure. As a consequence, you should limit your salt intake. Research has proven that too much salt in the diet is not good for people who have high blood pressure.

• Remove the salt shaker from the your table, replace with a product like Mrs. Dash all natural seasonings
• Slowly cut down on the salt you use when cooking food
• Avoid high sodium chips, cracker, canned foods and processed meats

For more information on what to limit or avoid in your battle with diabetes, visit: http://www.monsterdiet.net/diabetes