After you have a grasp on the best food choices for people with diabetes, it's time to head to the grocery store. Here are a few quick tips to help you navigate the aisles and select healthy ingredients to prepare at home:
- Don't shop when you're hungry. Shopping when you're hungry can lower your resolve to choose healthy ingredients and may cause you to buy more food than you need.
- Bring a shopping list. Bring a complete shopping list with you and try to stick to it. Don't forget to check your refrigerator and pantry before you go shopping for anything you might be out of.
- Avoid the center aisles of the grocery store. The outer perimeter of the store is where you'll find fresh produce and other fresh ingredients. The center aisles hold mostly processed foods.
- Skip "sugar-free" or "diabetic" foods. You don't need to purchase "sugar-free" or "diabetic" foods just because you have diabetes. Fresh, whole ingredients are a better option.
- Read food labels. When buying packaged or canned products, take a look at Nutrition Facts panels and compare nutrients for similar foods to find the one that will work best with your meal plan.
