What does a good diabetic diet mean? Surprisingly, it’s not what many people think. Being a diabetic does not mean an austere life of hardship, where you can’t enjoy any good stuff. Instead, what constitutes a sensible diet for a diabetic is, in large part, what’s a sensible diet for everyone else.

Eating a variety of foods is a good starting point: selecting from all four food groups is essential. The average American diet doesn’t include enough fruits and vegetables, relying instead on too much meat and grains. Achieving balance will help anyone’s diet.

Incorporating more fruits and vegetables is a wise nutritional choice. These items are low in fat — provided you don’t drench your green beans with half a stick of butter! — and also low in calories. Both help provide much needed fiber.

Food selection is one part of the equation: you want nutrient-dense, high-fiber foods. The amount you eat is also important. Pineapple might be a really healthy choice — but if you sit down and eat six cups of chopped pineapple, you’re going to be in real trouble. Not only are you going to send your sugar through the roof, you’re going to have the queen mother of all stomachaches! Moderation is key. If you’re working with a nutritionist or diet specialist, they can advise you on appropriate serving sizes to meet your dietary needs. Otherwise, you may want to start by reading the information here.