Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to help the body function properly. It was once called adult onset diabetes, but now children are starting to develop it as well. There are two important things a Type 2 diabetic can do to control his or her condition.

One is exercise. The other is to eat a healthy diet. A diet for Type 2 diabetes consists of a variety of elements, most of which are listed below.

Portion Size is Key - Be aware of serving sizes. Did you know that the serving size of the average fast food item is two to five times larger than it was in the 1950s? Many people who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes have а problem with obesity, and this is part of the reason. Most food items contain serving size portions recommendations as well as most restaurants provide the nutritional information if you ask.

You don’t have to clean your plate after each meal, but you don’t have to waste food, either. Leftovers can be reheated in а microwave or toaster oven and often taste just as good. If you don’t go out much, you’re still capable of overeating at home. In fact, you may be eating more than you think.

Portion Size Experiment - Get a three-section plate and eat your biggest meal on it. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that overweight diabetics who ate from specially designed section plates during their biggest meal lost up to 5 percent of their weight. You can find three-section plates at most housewares stores.

Eat а Balanced Diet – Please understand that a low-carb diet doesn’t necessarily mean your diet has the proper balance. Often, those who try a low-cаrb diet overcompensate by eating too much of everything else. A balanced diet should include vegetable, carbohydrates and proteins. This idea works hand in hand with the three-section plate concept. Fill the largest sections of the plate with leafy greens or fruit. Reserve the smaller sections for starches, starchy vegetables and proteins.

This will also alleviate boredom from your diet, since you’ll be free to eat just about anything. You will, however, eat а great deal less of it, and you’ll be a lot healthier due to the nutritional balance.

Having a proper diet when you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes can mean the difference between being insulin dependent or insulin independent.