Diabetics live with a diet high in a variety of proteins and complex carbohydrates, only a small amount of fat and sugar, and insignificant amount of simple carbohydrates. Diabetics are encouraged to eat foods high in protein such as beans, fish, or other meats. Complex carbohydrates should be the main source of calories in our food – not fat (Foster-Powell, et al 30). Simple carbohydrates, breads, pastas, rice, and practically all sweets, are very bad

More Americans have diabetes than ever before. The disease affects [about] 16 million adults and children, yet close to a third of them may not know that they have it. That is because diabetes can develop gradually over many years, often with no symptoms (MFMER, 2001). The sad thing is that about half of diabetics that know that they have diabetes do not take care of themselves, they do not eat correctly, they do not exercise, they do not take medication, and they do not get checked up by their doctors. Living with diabetes and trying to control it is different, takes more work, and takes time to get used to but it can be done. Fighting diabetes with healthy eating, medications, and exercise is a very small price to pay for a longer, healthier life. That is why people who are on the “diabetes fighting” plan for life have no regrets and are living generally joyful lives despite living with a chronic disease (Lifestyle, 2002).

Some people find that being diabetic is beneficial for their health. Margaret Blackstone states in her book, Beat Diabetes, that it is an exciting time to be a diabetic (vii). Blackstone claims that the world is so advanced in medicine that being diabetic is pretty safe and could turn out to be a good thing for some people (viii). The biggest benefit of having diabetes is that, in a sense, it forces people to lose weight, which leads to more energy, then more activity, then a healthier, thinner, toned body, then a longer, happier life.

Some topics in this essay:
Kilo Williamson, Beat Diabetes, Research MFMER, Diabetes Living, lifestyle 2002, weight loss, living diabetes, Margaret Blackstone, living diabetes trying, foster-powell et al, dietary guidelines, main source, complex carbohydrates, foster-powell et, mfmer 2001, simple carbohydrates, healthier life,